“When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.” Exodus 13:17-18 Recently I was driving to a new place while my passenger was controlling our GPS. When the GPS said “turn right,” I accidentally turned left. I’m awesome at following directions like that. Immediately the voice on the phone said “Recalculating new route” and proceeded to give me new directions that I also messed up because I had already started to turn around. Impressed that I did not completely confuse the GPS as I had myself, it must have rerouted me three times before getting me back on the right track. And if I’m honest, sometimes my life can feel a little bit like it needs some recalculating. It can feel a little bit like a mixed up detour that I hadn’t planned for and hadn’t even intended on taking. Ever felt that way too? Well, I know I’m not alone because there are some people in the Bible who must have felt this way a little bit too. The Israelites. When God took the Israelites out of Egypt the Scripture tells us that He didn’t take them along the main road--the road that was probably faster, maybe easier, and perhaps not as scary as the wilderness road He instead took them on. You see, God took them on a detour. My first reaction is to nod emphatically along with this story because I understand how that feels. How it feels to be re-routed by God onto a road and journey that you weren’t quite expecting. After all, I don’t always expect the twists and turns and roadblocks that I don’t plan into my story. I don’t always desire the longer route that sends me into a wilderness season of waiting. But there is purpose even there. You see, God didn’t just detour them for no good reason. He didn’t just direct them into the wilderness because He felt like it. He had a purpose. “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” God could see down the road what they couldn’t. And, oh, the lessons He wanted to teach them in the wilderness. He’s got the same reasons for you too, friend. So next time you find yourself in a wilderness detour situation, here are some things I want you to remember: When life feels like a detour, it could actually be God’s preparation for what He has coming next. When life feels like a detour, it could be because there is something coming ahead that He sees even when I can’t. When life feels like a detour, it could be that He has something to teach me on this new route that I never would’ve learned otherwise, and because of it I’ll be stronger. When life feels like a detour, God still knows how to get you to your destination. Hang on for the journey. He knows what He’s doing. “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.” Psalm 34:1 I used to think that worship meant singing songs at church on Sunday morning. I used to think that it meant clapping along to cheesy guitar rhythms and drum beats while repeating the same lyrics over and over. I used to think that it meant singing the words “Hallelujah” or “God is good” or “Amen” over and over with a smile on my face. The smile on my face that I had to show everyone on Sunday morning so that I looked like a good Christian worshipping my Jesus. But worship is different than I thought. Worship, in fact, isn’t all about singing after all. It’s not even just about declaring the cliché Christian phrases like “Hallelujah” or “Praise God.” You see, I thought of worship as an external act, but I learned that worship is more about an internal act. Worship is about my attitude toward God, my relationship with God, and my love for God. I learned that washing my dishes with a heart of gratitude for what God has given me can be an act of worship. I learned that singing Chris Tomlin songs in my car on my way to work can be an act of worship. I learned that reading my Bible or memorizing Scripture can be an act of worship too. I learned that any area of my life where I am showing an attitude of honor and gratitude and awe towards my God can be an act of worship to Him. I learned that doing my favorite hobby—such as writing—with the desire to glorify God through it, was an incredible act of worship to Him. And maybe most importantly of all I learned that one of the most important things I can offer to Him in worship is my broken heart and my broken life. You see, my broken hallelujah with tears streaming down my face can be a deeper act of worship to Him than when I hide my pain behind my smile and cliché Christian phrases. One of the greatest ways that I can worship Him is by acknowledging my pain and my hurt...and then praising Him in spite of it. So often we can think that to worship God we have to hide all that junk and hurt and messy, painful things. But really? He wants that part of you, friend. He wants the messy, broken pieces. Because it takes strength to declare, “My heart is broken...but even so, He is good. Even so He is my God. And even so I trust in Him.” You can worship God while sitting on your bathroom floor with your back against the wall as tears stream down your cheeks. You can worship Him while hugging a friend who needs some encouragement to keep going in life, even when your own heart hurts. You can worship Him while admitting the hurt but acknowledging that He is greater. Not denying the pain, no. For you can recognize the pain’s presence while also recognizing its place. And pain’s place never comes before the greatness or goodness of God--it can never be greater than that, no matter how much it hurts. So worship Him there. Worship Him in the dark valley. It’ll look differently than you might think. But it’ll be beautiful. A beautiful brokenness that shows the world His power and goodness. That is a worship that will change your life. |
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