THE LONG WAY AROUND

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By Deb DeArmond

We have some young friends who are celebrating the birth of their first child with more than the usual mix of joy and anxiety. After many, many years of praying and waiting and medical assistance, after a pregnancy fraught with complication, their beautiful bundle had to be brought into life 2 months ahead of schedule, weighing just three pounds.

Why, God? Why after this long and difficult journey is this the outcome? Why not a joyous uncomplicated pregnancy capped off by the birth of a strapping eight pounder? Why doesn’t this new mom get balloons and streamers decorating the wheelchair as she exits triumphantly to the waiting car at the curb holding her 2 day old child, met with a bright pink “It’s a Girl!” sign in the front yard as they pull into the driveway?

Why instead, must theses new parents, who love you and trust you, live in small temporary quarters on the hospital campus, spending each possible moment at the hospital NICU, amid beeping monitors and lights too bright for comfort? Why do they spend their days hanging on each test result, praying non-stop while attempting to read the facial expressions and measuring the tone of the medical experts for some indication of encouragement or concern?

Why?

I wish I had a certain answer. But there is one thing I do believe: there is a purpose. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives,” Genesis 50:20 (NLT). God will redeem this situation for good. His intentions are always for our good.

When Lazarus lay dying, Jesus was alerted to come quickly to provide assistance to His dear brother. The faith of Lazarus’ family was strong: they knew Jesus alone could save him. Christ’s response was curious: “And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe.” John 11:15a (NLT)

In fact, Jesus waited several days before returning to the home of His friend. On purpose. For a purpose.

Was it to demonstrate His great resurrection power? It did in fact serve that purpose. But if you read the verse, it was not his intention to draw attention to Himself by refusing to come quickly. He did it for them. For Mary. And Martha. For the disciples, the neighbors, and for Lazarus, himself. He did it so that they would really believe.

He took the long way around so that their faith would increase, so they might learn to believe at higher levels – and so that others would believe as well.

When Jesus takes you the long way around, it’s never just about you.

When my young friends shared the news of her pregnancy, faith rose for those who had shared their journey of infertility. Hope grew in the hearts of those who were still struggling. Some of those were people they might never have known had it not been for their heartache. The delay had a purpose: to encourage, to develop patience, to build faith and to give hope.

In the hospital, they interact daily with NICU nurses and doctors as well as parents of other babies in life threatening condition. These are just a few people my young friends would never have known, were it not for their sweet girl’s early entrance to life. Those relationships are avenues to testify to God’s grace, opportunities to pray with others, and to share the love of Jesus. They build hope. They point the world in His direction.

The long way around will introduce you to difference faces and different places that you would not have encountered on the short path.

Maybe the long way around is not just about us. It’s not just about our journey. It’s about the people we encounter along the way that He has entrusted to us. People who might never meet Him – without meeting us. People who are at the edge of their faith, just trying to survive. Those who have lost hope.

Paul took the long way around. Job found no shortcut. Ruth and Naomi lost all before restoration.

Where’s your long and winding road taking you?
• A widow with the opportunity to spend time with others who’ve lost their mate?
• A chemo patient in a room full of frightened women in a medical crisis?
• Are you jobless waiting with others in the unemployment office?
• An employee in a failing company where fear rises daily among your friends and co-workers?

Who did He send you to today?

The good news is that that tiny baby is growing stronger each day, lungs developing, amazing her doctors and already showing off for God. She has a long way to go, but I am certain she will get there. Her mission in life has already begun.

Instead of asking, “Why Lord?” try asking, “Who?” “Who is my mission field today?”

What circuitous road has the Lord taken you on? Who’s been waiting there for you?