by Cathy Vinson

The dilemma of so many seems to be the shared experience of trudging down a long, dirt road waiting on an unmet desire/need. Zeal is challenged by dips into overfamiliarity and mundaness. Something else might grab our attention for a short season, but all too soon we see the sights of that same tract of road again...we're walking out the long wait.

When we look at our lives, what is more commonplace, is it waiting or WARS? What would we honestly prefer? For most of us then, we should humbly turn back to the long road and know we are being spared. Stamina to face war is either a delusion or the long road may have done its work. We may not now turn back.

God knows and loves us. He knows a time of war takes more out of us even than enduring a wait. As disheartening as a longer road may be, He must know the casualties of war are more apt to make us turn back to Egypt. War hurts and takes more steam. It brings about quick changes...and turning back.

Has war come? Then things have finally reached a head, and the showdown is imminent. Perhaps God knows now that our exodus is complete. Even in the face of conflict, we will not now deny the call our exodus has taken us.

May our shortsightedness not blind us from humble gratitude for the mercy being shown through the longer road. Wars may be destined for us, and His tender care alone knows when we are truly able to face them. 

(Exodus 13:17)