The Long Way Around

I'm sitting in my first of four airports today on my way home from vacation. When you use a frequent flyer ticket, the airlines put you on any airplane with an open seat that will get you…eventually…to your desired location. We started early this morning leaving from Las Vegas headed back home to Milwaukee. Our first stop is Los Angeles. Any 'D' student of geography knows that LA is in the opposite direction that we want to travel. But, there's more than one way to skin a cat. After LA, we'll stop in St. Louis before finally arriving in Milwaukee about 10:00 PM tonight.

This got me thinking about our spiritual journey. Yes, I do that a lot. We know from geometry class that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But we can't always take that route, nor would it always be the best route for us. For instance, God led the Israelites the long way around when they left Egypt. Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." ¹⁸ So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. Ex. 13:17-18

God knows what we need, what we fear, and what will cause us to lose faith, or increase our faith. Many times it is the journey itself that strengthens us and prepares us for what is ahead. On their journey, the Israelites went THROUGH the Red Sea and saw the miraculous power of God, yet again, as they passed through the sea on dry land. They saw Him provide manna, water and meat in the wilderness for over a million people. There are also some great lessons of trust as we take our journey, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Moses led the nation well in the desert, because he'd been there before…for 40 years. As I look back on many experiences in my life, I can see how each step and experience has prepared me for what God is doing in my life now. At the time, it seemed like God was taking me the long way around. Some of these were very difficult times, but I learned that God can do awesome things in impossible situations, and going through struggles has made me the man I am today. Maybe that's why James said, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

If we had known no struggles, no conflict, no hurts we would be overwhelmed by the ones that face us today and in the future. But God has been faithful in the past and I'm confident that He'll bring us through the struggles of both today and tomorrow. And in the process, continue to perfect us and equip us for what is yet to come.

Who knows? The next trip may be Baltimore, Denver, Miami, Boston, San Diego. Remember, it's where you end up that matters.

Enjoying the journey,

David

P.S. We made it home.

Hope in the Desert

I've been in the desert for the last week...literally. The desert landscape is rough and rugged, mostly rocks, and occasionally a tumbleweed or a cactus. I had a teacher who helped me remember how to spell 'desert' and 'dessert'. You go back for seconds on 'dessert', so there are two s's. You don't want seconds on the desert. People die in the desert. Desert = dry, hot, and dusty.

We end up in the desert for different reasons. Sometimes disobedience leaves us in the desert. God has a beautiful, furtile promised land for us and when we refuse to go in because of fear or lack of faith, we wander in the wilderness...for years. And as a result, people suffer, and die, missing out on God's amazing blessings.

Other times we're in the desert to train. Moses herded sheep in the desert for 40 years before he was giving the assignment to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It could be that God was preparing Moses for his future as the leader of the Israelites...in the desert for another 40 years.

I came to the desert intentionally, on vacation. I chose to come to the desert because when you add water to the desert climate, you have some of the most beautiful and lush landscapes in the country. (You may have heard of Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and Phoenix) I played golf this week at a beautiful golf course that has been transformed by water, and I was reminded of the words of Jesus, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38) And the Scripture goes on to explain, "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive;..."

Whatever your desert is, and wherever the Spirit-filled believer in Jesus is, the answer to the desert is the Spirit of God within, Who flows from your inmost being, bringing life to dry, dead places. Yes, even the desert blooms when you add water.

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

Do it again, Lord, in me. Let Your river flow from me and bring life to dry and dead places.

Enjoying the Journey,

David