The Desert Road
So, how are you? It’s been a while for me. I don’t know why, but it’s been very difficult for me to write lately. I read a blog from Jon Acuff titled “Refusing the Gift of the Desert Road” and it really spoke to the way I have been feeling.
In Exodus 13:17-18, Moses tells of how God took the Israelites on the desert road toward the Red Sea instead of taking the shorter route through Philistine country. God said, “If they face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.”
Think about it. They (the Israelites) saw the shortcut. But the cloud starts going the long way…and the road is rougher. Did they complain? Was there some guy standing there with a map or some ancient version of a GPS device pointing out the impracticality of going that way? I can see it happening because that’s what I would have done.
I’m a shortcut kind of guy. In 10th grade, I had a teacher tell me “Lindberg, if there’s a shortcut, you’ll find it” as I was turning in some homework. I knew he was trying to insult me, but I chose to take it as a compliment and thanked him.
I haven’t changed much. As a programmer, I even get paid to find the most efficient way to get things done: shortcuts. Yes, I know that sometimes you have to take the long way around, but I’d still rather go the easy way.
When it comes to my life, I want the shortcut. I don’t want to have to spend a lot of time and effort getting to know people, I want to have a deep relationship right way. I want to lose weight now, I don’t want to have to be careful what I eat and to exercise. I want to be the exact person God wants me to be NOW, I don’t want to have to go through the trials required to be more like Him. It hurts. Walking on this road is hard and everywhere around me is desert.
Sometimes I get so discouraged. Haven’t I been on this road long enough? At times it seems that I can’t even see the grass on the other side of the fence and when I can, it looks just as bad as my side. When will I have learned what He wants me to learn so that I can move to the next level – whatever that is… When this happens, God usually (not always) shows me something like the verses above and reminds me that He’s doing this on purpose. I am where He wants me to be, even if it doesn’t look like what I think it should look like.
About three weeks ago, I was begging God to speak to me, it was one of those “throw me a bone” moments. I know He answered. He said, “Go read your Bible.” So I did. Honestly, nothing big happened. God was just reminding me that if I want to hear His voice, I can always find it in His word.
Several of my friends are on this same road with me. I’ve spoken with many people who are struggling with life right now. Not necessarily tragic circumstances (yes, some are dealing with very tragic stuff), but rough and/or unpleasant. I hope that these thoughts are an encouragement to you – the idea that God could be taking you the long way around because He knows it is what you need.
Giving credit where credit is due – the idea for the article comes from Jon Acuff on Stuff Christians Like. The beautiful picture is called “High Lonesome Road” and is from Eric Vondy’s Flickr stream
You asked did they complain? YES they started within 11 verses of leaving Egypt…. and have never stopped !!! They are a stiff necked people !!! (BTW who hardened Pharaohs heart?)
Exo 14:11 and they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the desert? What in the world have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
You are certainly an encouragement to me, Mark! I know I wonder often why I’m in such a funk. And when it comes to wanting short-cuts…!!! Please, Lord, just take 50 lbs off this belly!! Thanks for sharing!!
I understand about the hard road. My hubby and I have been on it for over 3 years now. We see the light and God has taught us both many things. The biggest is to turn to him for every minute of every day. Things get stressful when I forget that.
Hang in there…the saying misery loves company is so cliche, but it is so true. But the same thing is in the Bible but in a positive way. A burden shared is halved.