Road Less Traveled

I’ve had my fair share of disappointment in life. I’ve definitely had way more than my fair share of unfulfilled expectations. I had dreams for how my journey through this life was going to be. I had dreams and expectations for how my journey through ministry was going to be. I had a list of goals and things I wanted to have done by this point in life. Im 36 years old (THAT IS SO WEIRD TO SAY OUT LOUD AND TO TYPE!). Things have not gone the way I had envisioned. At times I really struggled with this. At times I have yelled out to (read: AT) God because I didn’t understand why.

Exodus 13:17 “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt’.”

Seems our human nature is to want/expect/demand the shortest, most direct, least painful route to where God is leading us. We want to get to the place God has prepared for us, but we get frustrated with the journey and the struggles along the way. We get a sense of unfulfilled expectations.

GOD YOU’RE LATE! I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF BACK THERE!

The problem is we don’t see what He sees. We want what we want in the moment, and don’t see that that particular path might not what is best for us. And we often forget that growth is found in the struggle. We forget to celebrate the struggles that have shaped us into who we are right now, or are currently shaping us into who we are becoming.

The best thing we can do is to draw close to Him, even if (when) the way is a bit longer (or harder) than we expected.