We have never lived particularly close to family, and growing up we would regularly load up the car and drive across the country to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Even now it’s not unusual for us to put several thousand miles on a vehicle each year just to see loved ones.
No matter how much we plan, though, we know that there will probably be delays. Perhaps we leave a little later than originally scheduled, there’s some inclement weather, heavy traffic or the dreaded road construction.
Delays happen, and they can turn a smile upside-down really quick. My mom has always had a different outlook on delays. Not that she enjoys them, but for as long as I can remember she has referred to them as blessings in disguise, often reminding us that God might have protected us from something dangerous, even tragic.
I think about her words when I have to run into the house for the third time to retrieve a forgotten object. Or, when I happen upon an accident and wonder where I would be if I would have been just a few minutes earlier, a few miles ahead.
Delays are often blessings in disguise.
Perhaps the Israelites didn’t feel that way as they were wondering through the desert for those 40 years. Did you know that there was a shorter way for them to go? Exodus 13 tells us that the Lord did not send them the shorter way because they would have faced war and might have changed their minds.
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. -Ex. 13:17-18
Their delay was a blessing. God was saving them from circumstances that they were not yet ready to handle. He was sparing them from battle that they were not equipped to fight. So, God led them by way of the Red Sea, performing miracle after miracle, daily providing for their needs and ultimately giving them the land they were promised.
But, their wondering was not easy, nor was it short. For 40 long years the Israelites complained and received, doubted and believed. Surely non of them considered that they would be struck in transition for so long.
Timelines are made by our limited views and understanding, but God sees all, knows all. Perhaps things are taking longer than we expected, longer than we’d like, and maybe there is a shorter way for us to get to where we’re ultimately going. But, I wonder what the longer way may be protecting us from, teaching us, preparing us for.
Seeing these two verses in Exodus has provided so much encouragement for me; I hope they will do the same for you.
We are not forgotten or abandoned in our waiting, wondering or wandering. The long way gives us time and experience, and allows us to grow in qualities like strength, patience and endurance. The long way offers the process for life transformation and growth. And, perhaps there is more blessing in the delay that we can ever even hope or imagine.