Navigation systems have personally changed my life. I was born without any sense of direction. People who know me can testify that for me, the struggle is real. While using this magical device recently ( pretty much daily, actually), I noticed that it gives me two options; shortest route or fastest route. I am just thankful it gives me ANY route! I would dare to say most of us like these two options. No one wants to take the longest, most painful, traffic-filled route.

Life doesn’t always give us clear directions of where we are going or what the best route is to follow. Many times in our lives, our only GPS is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Proverbs 16:9 teaches us, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

The Israelites were a  people that I can very much relate to. Exodus 13: 17-18 explains a lesson we need to embrace today:

 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

Isn’t it interesting how the Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle…or so they thought. God saw the hearts of the people. He knew that on the short road, they were not as prepared as they thought they were. They would run back to captivity if things got tough. It was God’s wisdom and mercy that placed them on the long road. On that long road, the encountered God in a miraculous and protective way. On the long path, they encountered a miracle: the parting of the Red Sea and destruction of their enemies.

We tend to complain on the long roads that the Lord places us on. We don’t understand the struggles, the challenges, and the frustrations we face. We want the fastest and the shortest roads. Many times, we find our strengths and grow from our weaknesses on the long road. We find God in a real, new, and tangible way on the long road. Don’t give up friends. We may plan our routes, but God truly is directing our steps when we trust in Him. Praise Him on your journey, even when it is the long road. He has a plan for you, just keep on walking.

Courtnay Aycock