God's Alternate Route

September 27th, 2024

Proverbs 16:9 tells us, "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps (NKJV)." Can you relate? Have you ever devised the "perfect plan" only to have it change or get diverted to an entirely different direction? Today, Candace Nordine shares a biblical perspective relating to her own experience with God's redirection and how it ultimately worked together for the ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

A few years ago, we were traveling on a road trip from Florida to South Carolina with our family. We were continually hitting traffic, and it was so frustrating. Have you ever been on one of these trips, and all of a sudden, your Google Maps, WAZE, or whatever app you use is directing you to a different route to avoid traffic? I hate traffic; ask my husband. If you’re like me, you always redirect and take the shorter route. Isn’t that how we are in life? We want the shortcut—the faster, the better. There’s no time for traffic; we have somewhere to be.

I recently read Exodus 13 about the Hebrews fleeing Egypt, and something stuck out to me. Here’s what Exodus 13:17–18a (NIV) says:

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.

Woah! Wait a second. Back up. God deliberately took them on the long route! But why? Well, probably for more than a couple of reasons, but here are a couple of thoughts.

He was saving their lives. A war with the Philistines could have killed many of them. The Philistines were strong. Does anyone remember the story of David and Goliath?
He was saving them from wanting to return to Egypt, where they would continue to be enslaved by Pharaoh.

So, let me ask you this: Do you ever feel like God has you on the long route? Have thoughts like, “God, if you would only do this, then this, and this, everything would be okay. It will be short and sweet; get me what I want, and all will be well.”

From my personal experience, God’s in the long route business. Now, please don’t hear what I’m not saying. God certainly CAN answer prayer quickly, direct us where we need to go, or give us the answer we seek, but I think we continually see from Scripture that this is NOT the norm. Here are just a few examples:

Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for their promised child, Isaac.
Joseph was enslaved in Egypt for 13 years after being betrayed by his brothers before becoming second in command.
The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years before entering the Promised Land.
Daniel, enslaved away from his own country, served kings in Babylon for 70 years.
God sent His son, Jesus, after 400 years of silence.

I could go on and on . . .

In 2020, we were considering moving to a bigger house. We had been in our house for over 14 years, and we needed more space with four small children that were not very small anymore. We thought we had found the perfect house. It had everything we wanted, and the sellers even agreed to a lower-than-asking price. We sold our house in one day. Everything was moving fast. We were all set to purchase the house until . . . the day of the inspection came. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out until we entered the house. Then, a massive, and I mean massive, downpour happened. We entered the house and went into the basement for the inspection, and water was pouring into the foundation. Needless to say, we canceled the sale and didn’t move into that house. At the time, I was crushed. Our dream house was gone . . .

Fast-forward four years.

We didn’t move into our dream house (more of a fixer-upper not too far away), but we did move. The house we let go of was in a different town. Not far, but not in the community of people we had built and loved. Just over the last year, I’ve seen friends get saved that we invested in since our girls were little. I’ve seen lives changed, and I think . . . if we had moved into that “dream house,” what would we have missed? I’m not saying these same things couldn’t have happened without us, but God had us on the long route, not the easy one, for a reason.

In Habakkuk 1:5, God says, “Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (NIV). Do you know what this means??? Even if God told us, "I’m going to take you on the long route, and it’s going to be better," we wouldn’t believe him! Yet, God is gracious and patient with us as we struggle to trust His plan and His timing.

We see His perfect timing even when sending His own Son, Jesus. God sent His Son at the appointed time. Galatians 4:4–5 tells us, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

So, the next time you find yourself on the long route, remind yourself that God is in it. He's got it mapped out, and it’s for your good and His Glory.

Author Bio:
Candace Nordine is the Communications Manager and “Knower of All Stuff” at Reasons for Hope. She grew up as a PK (pastor’s kid), and though she had a knowledge of who God was from a very young age, it wasn’t until her middle school years that she truly made her faith her own. Serving in full-time ministry for the past two decades, Candace understands the need for the next generation to have biblical answers to help equip them to stand boldly on the Word of God.

Candace is a wife, mom, teacher, employee, cook, interior decorator, designer, etc. But her greatest role is being a daughter of the King. She is thankful that God uses ordinary people just like her (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). She currently lives in northern Kentucky with her amazing husband and four very cool daughters that keep her young and hip.

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