Exodus 13:17: “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.”
God’s never into the easy way, the shorter path.
He takes us around a few bends, a couple of easy but wrong relationships, a few career options that lure us with quick money but little else…for a reason. He’s protecting us from short cuts because the longer, tougher, circuitous route is often the right one. For us. And for His Kingdom. And those around us He’d like to join that Kingdom.