I am directionally challenged.  I know it.  My husband can confirm it.  My kids have experienced it.  When given directions, I wouldn’t want to be told to go north or south.  Knowing that my destination was east of Main Street or west of the river was not helpful.  I just needed to know when to turn left or right and, when possible, be provided with a landmark or two. 

But all that changed with my IPhone.  I now have a Map app.  Just give me the address and I have directions at my fingertips – in an organized list or on a map which tracks my progress.  This marvelous app provides me a choice of routes and even suggests the best one to take, but there is one thing that I have noticed.

The shortest route, the most direct route is not always the one selected as the best one to take.  Traffic and construction can make the most direct route the most difficult one.

 If Moses had this Map app, it would have certainly identified that the shortest route to Canaan from Egypt was the northern road – a main road that linked Egypt directly to the land of their inheritance.  With over 2 million people to lead, the most direct route would seem to be the best one to take. 

But God instructed Moses to take the people on the desert road toward the Red Sea.   When they arrived at the Red Sea, there was no bridge to cross.  They had no boats to ferry them to the other side.  And, on the other side of the Red Sea was a barren wilderness.  Certainly, to many this roundabout route must have seemed all wrong. 

Yet God knew this was the best path for the Israelites to take.   The shortest route would have required these emancipated slaves to pass through Philistine country.  It would have required these Israelites who had no experience in warfare to wage a battle against the military might of seasoned warriors. 

The longer route through the wilderness was the best pathway, because this route would take the Israelites to Mt. Sinai where they would meet God.  On this route they were taught to put their faith in Him. This was the pathway that was to prepare them with the strength and skills needed to conquer the nations who occupied their Promised Land.

In Ps. 32:8. God promises,

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.”

God did that for the Israelites, and He desires to do that for us today.  The best pathway for our life may not be the most direct path.  It may even take us through a wilderness.  But if we allow God to advise us and watch over us, we will discover that no matter how long or short our journey, how unexpected or circuitous the route may seem, it ends up being the best pathway for our lives.  Yes, our faith may be tested along the way, but His best route always takes us to the place where we meet God and our relationship with Him is strengthened.