…you have to go down. Sure seems like that is true in life a lot doesn’t it? Today we took the fam out to Vedauwoo (prounounced vedavoo) and had a picnic, climbed rocks and went hiking. It was a blast to be out in God’s creation with Sab and all the kids. Jonah, who is ALL boy, LOVED climbing the rocks, exploring the crevices and seeing how high he could go. I let him loose to lead the way. At one point he wanted to go higher and “thought” he had found a way. He was DETERMINED to get higher, and was frustrated that his way wasn’t quite passable for an 8 year old. What he didn’t realize that if he would have just gone DOWN a little bit, there was a better way to get higher. It reminded me of the Israelites and their passage to the Promise Land.
Exodus 13:17-18 says “17 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.” 18 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.”
Now the Bible doesn’t record this, but I’m SURE someone realized this was NOT the shortest way. I’m sure someone was frustrated, complained and even pointed this out to Moses. What they didn’t realize was that this was a BETTER 
way. It was sparing them MORE danger than was necessary. Difficult battles. Loss, pain, even tragedy.
Often in my life, I wonder why it seems God is taking me DOWN instead of up. “Why are we not moving forward?” I ask. Cause sometimes to go up…you have to go down.
What are you going through in your life that seems as if God is taking you backwards? Making you go down? Keeping you from the direction YOU think you should go? Remember, the way He has you on IS the BEST way. It may not be the shortest, or even the most visible, but it IS the BEST!
Following Christ,
Jeff
