A rewrite of an old (and probably true, since I heard a preacher tell it) story…
What do you do when you know God’s call on your life is vocational evangelism, and your wife dies, leaving you with two sons, ages 8 and 10? Will Martin decided to seek out a way jto be both Dad and faithful evangelist. He rearranged his schedule to make sure he was never gone more than four days at a time, and made arrangements for a highly-trusted caretaker. And he made himself a promise: whenever he’d been away overnight, he would always bring his sons a special gift.
Then came the day that Will was wheels-up on the plane and it dawned on him: he’d forgotten to pick up something for his boys. So Will conceived a plan.
The boys were so ready to see their dad, and so excited to get inside his suitcase.
“Don’t even bother, guys,” Dad said. “There’s nothing in there. This one’s special. Tomorrow morning, as soon as Target opens, I’m taking you there to buy anything you want.”
“Dad, you don’t mean it!”
“I mean it.”
It was Christmas in August. And true to his word, Will and his sons were there at Target when the doors opened.
First stop – the candy and nuts counter. Already this morning there was a collection of hot nuts, popcorn, and candy snacks. The boys had already landed on what they wanted.
“Dad, can we have some candy?”
“I told you,” Will replied, “you can have anything you want. But before you decide that, let’s look a little further.”
The next stop was clothes and shoes. The boys found some pretty cool-looking things they really liked.
“Dad,” they said, “you think we could get whole new outfits?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want. But let’s keep looking.”
Around toward the sporting goods section, where the boys were playing with new basketballs. (Priced a good basketball lately?)
“Oh Dad,” one exclaimed. “Could we possibly get a new basketball?”
“I told you, you can have anything you want. But let’s check one more place before you decide.”
To the back of the store they went, in the electronics department. They stopped in front of the video games cabinet, where the boys got lost in their favorite Xbox 360 titles. One was a big “Madden” fan; the other loved “Halo.” Both turned to peer into their dad’s eyes – almost instinctively to see if he really meant what he’d promised.
“Daddy. Oh Daddy! Do you think it’s even possible that we could each get a video game?”
“Boys, I told you,” Will said. “You can have anything you want. And I keep my promises.”
It was then that it dawned on one of them.
“Oh. But we don’t have a console. We can’t play the games if we don’t have the Xbox.”
“Well, let’s go talk to that man behind the cash register,” Will suggested, seeing no game consoles in the cabinet.
“Hi, I’m Will Martin,” Will started.
“Oh yes, Mr. Martin. We have your console right here under the register.”
Never have two sets of eyes opened so widely.
“Oh, Dad! No way!”
“Way!” Dad replied. And they walked out the store with two games and a new Xbox 360.
Will had intended to buy that the entire time – even to the point of calling to ask that they hold a game console behind the register, just in case. But he took them on a scenic route to take them to his ultimate destination – his, uh, will.
Bet they were glad they didn’t stop at the candy counter.
Point A to Point Somewhere Else
There is a reason I tell you the story, with obvious implications. You may well be on a scenic route of your own, but not of your own making. I don’t know about you, but I like my directions and answers in straight short lines, thank you very much. If I’m at Point A, and I’m asking God where Point B is, I want the nearest and fastest line there.
Funny how He has His own plans about how to get me there. You too, I suspect.
But wait! I saved the biggest surprise for last (no, you’re not getting your own free Xbox or iPad).
The biggest surprise about the scenic route is what God will use to get you to your destination.
He will use war.
He will use failure (yeah, He even knows ahead of time when you’re going to flunk a test).
He will use overwhelming obstacles.
He will use rejection – even by people you love and trust.
He will use favor in the eyes of ungodly people.
He will use temptation.
He will use false accusations.
He will use mind-numbing delays.
He will use need – even as dire as famine.
He will even use the evil intentions of others.
There’s more, but I think you get the point. God will take you to where you’re going. But sometimes you have to start from somewhere else to get there.
You’re going to be tempted to quit. Get angry at God. Give up. Get stupid.
Even more dangerous – you’re going to be tempted to stop at the candy counter when He has a much greater prize waiting.
I have a suggestion (he said, talking first to himself). Why not just keep following Him, and find joy in the journey? Why not listen for His voice, and by all means, trust His heart. He really does know what He’s doing.
I guess what I’m saying is, If God has you on the scenic route, maybe there’s something He actually wants you…
… to see.
Just spent the last 12 months on the scenic route, and , while it has been difficult, God has been there every step of the way. I’m glad He didn’t let me stop at the candy counter when I wanted to.
I know EXACTLY what you mean Andy!!!
.-= Mattie´s last blog ..Homecoming =-.
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