Seasons change and time stands still for no one, but can you believe it is October already? Seems like it was May only a couple days ago. Whether we are ready for it or not, change happens. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, our summer is behind us. Our autumn is here. And we are rapidly approaching winter.
Some change we eagerly look forward to, some we would rather not have to face. I believe one of the greatest times of change and transition recorded in the Bible is found in Exodus chapters 13-14. In the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, God did not take them the shortest route to the promised land. Because he knew they were not strong enough to face the Philistines and conquer the land he would eventually give them, God took his people a roundabout way instead. You might say he took them the long way home.
Amidst our times of change and transition God sometimes does the same with us, don’t you think? We see a direct line between where we are and where we want to be, but from God’s perspective, he sees things differently.
Like with the Israelites, during our times of change and transition, God doesn’t always take us the shortest route. He knows our strengths. He knows our weaknesses. His plans take both into account.
The people questioned, grumbled, complained, and resisted God the whole way. They didn’t realize the road God chose for them led away from disaster, not toward it. They didn’t understand receiving God’s deliverance meant obeying him. They didn’t want to accept the fact that in order to be delivered from bondage, they had to follow the route God laid out in front of them.
We do that too, don’t we? We want a change. We want God’s deliverance, but when God tells us to obey and follow him the long way home, we balk. When God tells us we have to be obedient to his law, his rules, his way, we cry out like those desert wanderers of Exodus. We decide we’d rather die where we are than go one step further on the path God laid out.
When we read the story of the mass of humanity caught between the waters of the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army, we read a story of fear; and rightly so. I doubt many of those fleeing Egypt were expert swimmers.
The odds didn’t look good from where they stood. When Moses told the people not to be afraid, to stand firm, and see God’s deliverance, I’m sure more than one of them thought Moses had been in the sun too long without a hat.
Moses told God’s people the reason they didn’t need to be afraid was because the Lord would fight for them.
The same God who delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh’s army, and safely led them across a dry river bed, is the same God who delivers us from the armies and seas that trap us. Following God does not mean all will be smooth sailing. No sirree. Anything but.
When we follow God, we will face frightening experiences. Guaranteed. The challenge, however, is to 
put our potentially frightening circumstances and situations up against the all-powerful Lord God Almighty. The One who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Times of change and transition can be frightening. The unknown can be frightening. Moving from one phase of life to another can be frightening. I believe the main thing we should remember in our times of change and transition is this.
Anything we might fear is nothing compared to the God who goes before us and leads the way.
Right now, I’m in a time of change and transition. It’s both exciting and a bit unsettling at the same time. I’m learning, though, sometimes God does his best work in us when we’re caught between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea.
How about you? Any changes or transitions you are facing in your life right now?
I wish you well.
Sandy
Although not easy, change can bring good beyond anything we can imagine. Blessings, Sandy.
Thank you, Diana. You are absolutely right.
Sandy; This is such a powerful post because as you said, “Anything we might fear is nothing compared to the God who goes before us and leads the way.” Thank you for such a thought provoking post.
Thank you, Diana. I just need to always remember this when fear starts rising.