Taking the Long Way

Did you know that when God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, He did not take them through the shortest route? “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. ……So, God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea…..” Exodus 13:17a, 18a.

Do you ever feel like eating smaller portions, eating more whole grains, eating more fruits and vegetables, getting regular & consistent exercise, drinking less soda/sugary drinks & more water, eating good carbs, etc. is all a roundabout, long way to a healthy lifestyle? Wouldn’t it be great if we could just follow a particular regimen for a specific length of time and then PRESTO! Immediately we would be the healthy weight that our physician prescribes, WITHOUT changing any habits, and it would last for our entire LIVES! Oops!….that sounds familiar……been there done that, haven’t we?! Quick fix diets don’t produce the desire to eat healthy. Without taking the time necessary to change some poor habits, and acquire some healthy ones we won’t be able to maintain the weight loss that we may achieve. Any of us can lose weight! We all know what to do, and how to do it. But, can we maintain the weight loss? Can we change our mind about certain foods and regimens? Yes we can if we take the time to learn how to make better choices, acquire tastes for healthier foods, and enjoy being active, etc. None of that happens over night! What may seem like the long way to healthy living is the best thing for us because it gives us the time we need to prepare for a lifestyle of healthy choices. That is just what God was doing for the Israelites! He was getting them ready!

“God said, “If the people faced with a battle they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”……Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.” Exodus 13:17b,18b

Fad diets won’t get us READY for a lifestyle of eating healthy. Removing one particular food from our diet for a given period of time won’t enable us to be READY to make healthy choices on a daily basis. Inconsistent exercise regimens won’t get us READY for a lifestyle of consistently being active and loving it! Sometimes it seems like a daily battle/struggle to arrive at and then remain in our promised land of healthy living. Taking short cuts just won’t give us the artillery that we need to win the fight so YES!…let’s take the long way to a life of health and wellness!