“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)

“Are we there yet,” is a question that parents are barraged with while traveling with young children. Time concept is nil to them, so they tend to become restless on long trips. No amount of games or other entertainment are enough to keep them occupied and content for the entire journey. Therefore, parents have to endure a barrage of the same question, “Are we there yet?”

Adults are not dissimilar to children when we travel. We are also restless, but we disguise it with our power of choice—we take the shortest route to our destination. And if we are the driver we can choose to take detours and short-cuts.

On our life’s journey, we are passengers; God is the Pilot and Commander-in-Charge. He determines where we are going, which route we will take, and when we will arrive at our destination. As a general rule, God doesn’t take us the shortest route. The journey He takes us on has a purpose and a mission—one designed to test our endurance, faith, and motives. 

God is preparing us for our earthly assignments. Therefore, the path He chooses for each of us is uniquely drafted to equip us for the task. God knows which tools are required and what we need to experience on our expedition.

The pilgrimage of the children of Israel was recorded so that we could learn from their shortcomings and failures. Instead of relaxing and allowing God to navigate them safely to the Promised Land, they murmured and complained about His chauffeuring. What could have been an eleven-day trip resulted in a forty-year journey because of their immaturity and faithlessness.

God’s purpose for leading them the long route was to humble them and test them to know what was in their heart, and to know whether they would keep His commandments.

Murmuring and complaining about God’s choice to take them the longer route was not beneficial for the children of Israel and won’t be advantageous to us either. 

Since our journey with God is an adventure, it would be wise to prepare for this long, tedious, and challenging experience. Pull out your large suitcase and pack an abundance of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. Don’t seek shortcuts, trapdoors or detours, no matter how turbulent the ride.

Trust that God knows what He is doing and that He will guide us safely over the hurdles, through the valleys, and around the obstacles. Each experience is intended to shape us into the people that we were meant to be.

God is fully invested in our success. Taking a shorter, less complicated route would abort our opportunity to experience His omnipotence and awesomeness. We might not see the parting of the Red Sea, feast on angel food, or drink from a rock, but we will walk through closed doors, rest our feet on our enemy’s back, do supernatural exploits, and experience God in dimensions we never thought were possible.

Life is an adventure, my friends! Let’s relax and enjoy the ride.

Pray …

Lord, I know I can be impatient. Help me to be still and know that You are God.

Posted by on Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 @ 11:11AM
Categories: Inspirational