Meditate at Eight: Ponderings

Today, I'm taking my father up into Michigan on a search for his favorite Michigan peaches. When we find them, we will purchase about ten of them. Let's be honest. We could buy perfectly good peaches closer and cheaper, but it's about the day out. He's picked a restaurant where he and my mom used to go for lunch. I've picked out a route that includes scenic back roads.

I sometimes wonder if God secretly enjoys scenic routes. You know, the ones that add miles to the trip but also include breathtaking views, unexpected rest stops, and maybe a questionable roadside diner.

In Exodus 13:18, we read: “So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.”

This wasn’t the shortest route. In fact, if you look at a map, it was wildly out of the way. Israel's GPS unit would've worn itself out saying, "Recalculating route" over and over again. Israel could have been in the Promised Land in weeks, not decades. But God had his reasons—he was building trust, shaping identity, and teaching his people to depend on him, not just on a GPS-like itinerary.

God’s "routes" in our lives often make little sense to us. Why doesn't he just snap his fingers and get us to our “Promised Lands” faster? Why not answer the prayer immediately, heal the wound instantly, or solve the problem before we even ask?

The truth is, the scenic route is rarely about the destination; it’s about our transformation during God's timing. God’s scenic routes aren't delays or detours; they're precisely the road we need for our hearts to catch up with God's plan. Sometimes we're led into deserts so we can learn God is our water. Sometimes we're led into periods of famine so we can learn God is our bread. The long road is a blessing, allowing us to discover that God is the destination all along.

And honestly, if God were a travel agent, he’d be the kind who hands you a map with coffee stains, circles “interesting” side roads you’ve never heard of, and says, “Oh, and take this detour. It’s worth it, trust me.” You’d arrive later than planned, but you’d have a collection of strange souvenirs, a few good stories, pictures of views you'd have missed on the interstate, and, just maybe, a deeper understanding of who you were traveling with.

The next time life feels like an endless “recalculating” moment, ask yourself: What might God be building in me during this slow journey? What am I learning here that I couldn’t learn if I arrived instantly? Am I willing to let God’s timing reframe my impatience?

Prayer: Lord, I confess that I love shortcuts and quick fixes. But you are the God of purposeful delays and meaningful detours. Teach me to trust you when the road takes longer than I planned and leads me to places where I hadn't intended to go. Help me notice the blessings along the way and believe that the scenic route is best, because you’re on it with me. Amen.

Ridge United Methodist Church (Pastor Denise)

#meditateat8 #methodist #methodistchurch #UMC #church #INUMC #community #jesus #bible #faithoverfear

*If you have a devotional, scripture, or other item that you would like to share with others,

please send it through the WELCOME section on page 1 of this blog.