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True confession: Sometimes what God says doesn’t make a lick of sense to me (as we say in the South). I stare at the words on the thin, crinkly paper and end up scratching my head with the end of my Bible highlighter.
I felt that way when I recently read this, “So God led the people by the roundabout way” (Exodus 13:18). This crazy little jewel is in a passage about the Israelites leaving Egypt to go to the Promised Land. It’s before they goofed up and God said they had to wander around for forty years. This is a whole different deal where God intentionally led them the roundabout way.
Although this is confusing and strange and unexpected, it also gives me hope. Because in my mind the will of God always looks like a thin, straight line. Then life invariably does not. So I start thinking I must have taken a detour somewhere or I would already be there. Have you ever felt that way?
The new year is coming soon and perhaps, like me, you’re feeling reflective. I imagine the last 300 or so days may not have turned out the way you planned. There might have been a bit of chaos. Something unexpected. A few twists and turns. If so, let’s take heart: This doesn’t automatically mean that we’re not in the will of God. Sometimes He just leads His people by the roundabout way.
Why? Because He knows us better than we know ourselves. Because His ways are not like ours. Because we think in terms of minutes and He grasps all of eternity. Because we barely see a foot in front of us and He knows the whole story, the whole winding way that is going to get us where He wants us to go.
It makes me laugh to think God sometimes takes the scenic route.
Maybe next year I’ll act less like the kid in the back seat asking “Are we there yet?” every forty-seven seconds. Maybe I’ll roll down the window and take in the view and eat some snacks. Maybe I’ll remember that, yes, life is like a race but it’s also like a road trip. It’s about so much more than getting there.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
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In the past few weeks, our community here has sponsored 18 little girls. I am blown away by your generosity and encouraged that 18 lives are forever changed. My goal is 40 (I turned 40 this month!) and so if you weren’t sure what to do yesterday on Giving Tuesday, I want to invite you to consider sponsoring a little girl. I can’t begin to tell you what a huge difference it makes — for less than the cost of one meal out each month.
P.S. If you sponsor at the www.compassion.com/fiercehearted link, Compassion will send you a free copy of Fiercehearted as a thank you! If this isn’t a fit for you or your family right now, I completely understand. Would you pray for those that are waiting to be sponsored and consider sharing the Compassion + Fiercehearted link on social media? (The link may have trouble on mobile, but it opens easily when using a desktop!)
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If you’re looking for Christmas gifts, then here’s some good news! If you order five copies of Fiercehearted from my bookstore you’ll save $10 and receive this Be Strong and Courageous necklace too (while supplies last). You can find all the information right here.
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Right now, we’re doing a special link-up series to celebrate Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely. You’re a fiercehearted woman so I’m asking you to pour out a little love and courage with your words every Wednesday {the link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post, especially if it’s about living fully and loving bravely, and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
When you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth!
{click to tweet that you’re joining me here today}
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