Taking the Scenic Route

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Whenever you’re going from one place to another, do you grab your phone and search for directions for the fastest way? See if there’s a shortcut? I do now, but I haven’t always done that. There was a time in my life when I searched for directions that kept me off the interstate--even if it took a longer time. The interstate scared me. All those lanes of traffic, so many cars and 18-wheelers. Instead of driving in fear and anxiousness, I preferred to take the longer route so I could drive in peace. Knowing I wouldn’t have to face my fear made it easier to get in my car, put it in drive, and go to my destination.

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. (Exodus 13: 17-18)

In the verses above, we see that God used this same tactic with the Israelites when he freed them from slavery in Egypt. God didn’t let them take the shortcut out of slavery. He made them go the long route.

When we were dating, Casey sent me this text and it was so special that I still have a screenshot of it. “We live in a time where we want to take the ‘fastest route’ but God likes to take the scenic route. Sometimes it feels like the long way and life gets pretty bumpy going God’s way, but we would miss out on so many beautiful things in the end if we go our own way.”

Why did God make the Israelites take the scenic route? Because He knew that if they went through the land of the Philistines, they would encounter war. And if they encountered war, they would be so disappointed that they would be driven back to Egypt and back to slavery before ever getting a taste of freedom. He didn’t let them take the shortcut out of slavery because it wouldn’t work. Only the long route would keep them out of bondage.

An old friend of mine suffered from pornography since he was a young teenager. Many times, he tried to give it up. But he wasn’t strong enough on his own to quit. He went back to it every time. He begged God to take the desire away from him. God didn’t do it. And so, eventually, he gave up trying. He instead made excuses for his behavior. If God didn’t want to take away his desire for porn, then maybe God didn’t care enough.

It absolutely broke my heart as I watched over time as he gave up completely on God. He was angry at God because God didn’t take away his desire to consume pornography. But, just like the Israelites, sometimes God won’t let us take the shortcut out of our own slavery. Instead of taking away our sinful desires, God wants us to instead learn to depend on His strength to deliver us from temptation. 

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

God didn’t promise to take away temptation--instead He promised a way out. He may not take away your sinful desires, but He will help you overcome them if you allow Him to. Every single time you turn to God instead of giving in to that fleshly desire, you take a step in the right direction. Even if you mess up occasionally and find yourself going backwards, every time you give it to God, you are in the process of creating a new habit. Many steps make a mile, and one day, you will look behind you to see how many miles are between you now and where you came from. 

If you are a slave to sin (and we all are in different ways), don’t be disappointed in God when He leads you on the scenic route instead of the shortcut. He wants you to make a lasting change that will lead you out of slavery. Many times, the shortcut won’t work. It will lead you to disappointment, and you will run right back to your chains. Though God’s way oftentimes feels “inconvenient,” the scenic route is much more beautiful and satisfying than going your own way. Because of the scenic route, you’ll find eternal freedom.