Red Sea Road

I read the book, WayMaker, by Ann Voskamp recently. I stumbled upon this book when I was hungry for anything that would help me through the horrible time I was navigating. I devoured anything I could get my hands on that would lead me, encourage me, give me hope that "this too shall pass".

She referred to these tumultuous times in our lives as Red Sea Roads. You know the ones...the road you have to travel when it seems like it leads to nowhere. The roads that seem to have no hope, no happy ending. The roads that you have no choice but to find a way but there just seems to be no way at all!

Cleverly, she coined these our Red Sea Roads. We all have them, that's what life is. Our Pastor told us last Sunday, "That life is just a series of problems," hmmmmff!

Some of these problems are but a nuisance but, oh, some of these problems are Red Sea Roads! Roads where we can't see how we will ever get out or how it will ever get better. Roads with death, loss, troubled marriages, failing finances, addiction, illness. We need the Lord to quite literally part the seas of these troubled waters so we can make it and not drown. His parting is the ONLY way we will survive; however, after hearing our Pastor's sermon this past Sunday, I believe there is more to it than just the parting of the sea. Follow me for a second...

Our Pastor reviewed Exodus 14:21, which tells us that God did just that for the Israelites who were being heavily pursued by the Egyptians. Moses first received a message from God, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." (Exodus 14:13-14)

The Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army that was pursuing them. Obviously, they saw no way out until by God's power and Moses' obedience, the Red Sea parted with just a gesture from Moses. Now this is a story with which many are familiar but something struck me yesterday as Pastor preached this scripture and it was this...

"The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground with a wall of water on their right and on their left." Exodus 14:22

Not only were the Israelites able to cross safely through the sea but they did so on dry land! Does that strike anyone but me?? The Lord took care of every detail, even sending a strong east wind to dry the land so they could cross. (Exodus 14:21)

I don't know about you but I think if death was pursuing me, I would be satisfied with crossing through a mucky mess. I mean He was in fact saving my life!

I've read through this account many times and the fact that they crossed on dry land never occurred to me until Pastor pointed it out Sunday. I find this specification so intriguing and if I know anything about our God He included this minute detail for a reason.

I believe He wants us to know He has all of it, not just the big parts of our problems but all the bits and pieces. That's my point in writing this today. If we will trust Him with our Red Sea Roads, He won't just get us through the problem by the skin of our teeth, but He will dry the land for us so not even our feet get muddy. He will carry us through if He has to. He will make something beautiful from our bits and pieces, we just have to let Him. I think it is worth repeating, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." Exodus 14:14.

Are you currently trying to navigate your own Red Sea Road? He will show you the way if you will let Him. Not only will He guide you into all truth (John 16:13), but He will carry you through every little detail. He will part the sea and dry the land so that you can make it through to the other side. Not just make it but arrive redeemed and restored!

My new mantra lately, or maybe my next tattoo, 'Let God Be God!' It sounds good and all but it's easier said than done. He doesn't need our help! Allow Him to lead you down your Red Sea Road. He knows the way. He has the directions; He won't lead you astray. He can be trusted.

Let God be God and trust Him with every detail of your Red Sea Road!

Until next time...

**Not only did Ann Voskamp coin the phrase, Red Sea Road, in her book Waymaker but an album and song came out of it if you would like to give it a listen. "Red Sea Road," by Ellie Holcomb.