We all are on a journey to a given destination. A journey to that place that marks a lot of things to you; progress, redemption, restoration, a fresh start, new conquests, liberation, materialized promises and so much more. At times we don’t even realize that we’ve been on a journey up until you wake up one morning and wonder why you feel so stagnated😩.
Being oblivious of the journey in a world that is constantly shifting that which society expects you to be working towards, can steer you into making decisions that can place you at odds. The knowledge that you are not of this world as you get rooted in Christ will keep you sane and secure against such vices. However, even as a believer living out kingdom realities, that journey can have you realizing bits that are new and most probably not so pleasant about you😂.
When the children of Israel set out for Canaan from Egypt, their excitement was probably over the freedom from the slavery they’d been exposed to for four generations. They’d been crying to God for this deliverance and it was about time that His response came through. The Bible states that the Lord heard their cry and remembered His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Exodus 2:24. I can only imagine how much they’d been looking forward to this. Probably something their parents had spoken over, one generation to another as they awaited the appointed time. God kept His word to them as He went all out for His children and destroyed the finest of Pharaoh’s army before their eyes. Such a majestic and grand gesture, one would think it would warrant their complete unshakable trust in Him, Yes?No?🤷♀️
Well, not enough, because as soon as they’d gotten to the wilderness their murmuring began and they forgot all about it. The Lord had strategically planned out their conquest for them in this journey to Canaan. God had taken care of them in every aspect of their journey. The children of Israel had God with them all through; the pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. Quails and manna to their satisfaction; victory against their enemies and constant reassurance that they would get to the promised land but this was still not enough. God took care of them despite their defiance and unruly behavior. They had been set free, yet very willing to trade in that freedom for the comfort that came with knowing that they’ll never go hungry or thirsty in Egypt🤦🏽♀️.
You see it’s very easy to call out the Israelites on their actions without realizing that their journey accurately describes most, if not all of us on the same task. They did not realize that before getting to the promised land that they would go through some rough patches, they weren’t prepared for that sort of struggle. The wilderness in itself called for survival techniques that seemed impossible at face value; the kind that would have you thinking twice over how bad you really want to get to the other side, that promised land. Having them forget that their God is mighty in power and abounding in love. The kind that has you feeling beaten before you set out on it and all of a sudden this promise land is not as attractive any more☹️. That kind that will have you ready to cash in the freedom that God fought for you to redeem His child and walk right back into that which had enslaved you. Back to that place you were so familiar with rather than step out of your comfort zone into the unknown. The knowledge that God is with you not being enough to have you plunge into the deep in complete trust.
The transit to Canaan by the children of Israel depicts how we handle the journey to our ‘promised land’. It gets even more tasking when He has given you a sneak peak of where you are heading, that place. It is in our very nature to desire that which God has promised and frustration creeps in when you cannot seem to access it as fast as imagined.
One thing we need to realize is; just because He revealed it to you doesn’t mean it comes free of the ‘hustle’ or that it has immediate gratification. I have been in those shoes one too many times and last weekend I found myself wishing that I hadn’t seen it at all, maybe the bag full of emotions that came with the wait would be something I knew not of. It was crazy and I remember being a Jacob at one point. I wanted things done my way or not at all. I felt like getting to keep calm through this one as I cry out in prayer for other responses was one tall task for this 5’0” girl. I did not understand why God had tasked me with that level of wait😩. Unfortunately, not even the knowledge of His true nature would have calmed me at that point. I mean, I hadn’t seen it turning out to be like a maze that I was meant to find my way out while being chased by Pacman😅.
We’d been walking together better than I could ever remember, He’d promised if I seek Him, I shall find Him but why that level of wait? Why was I stuck in a place that was so dry and windy? 😩 He was there with me but I wanted to be in that Canaan He’d told me about. The place He kept reminding me. That which l He has kept for me, intentionally customized for this lady in waiting. I wanted Him to just hug me as He says, ”See child, there’s that open door I have set in front of you. Time for fruition has come.” I would do that mad dash after He’s released me, jumping up and down a happy bunny. Eyes wide with excitement, glistening in the surrealism of that moment. All that and a bag of potato kale chips.😌
Oh well, as I went through the week, I realized I was invoking own works that we have been greatly against in Hebrews 4:10-11. The assumption being just because He revealed it to me, it would be happening ASAP. Yeah, I know😒. Hello entitlement.
We easily forget that courtesy of how the children of Israel handled that transit, the generation that came out of Egypt never got to enter the promised land at all. Which was rather unfortunate after all they had experienced in the wilderness.
However, God reminds us that we need to get out of our comfort zones if He is going to take us to those places He is shown us or better yet reveal so much more to us. You might not be longing to crawl back into slavery but your comfort zone might be calling out for you as you are on that journey, having you looking at everything else as an alternative rather than keeping at it as God wants of you. He’s a gracious and merciful Father reminding us that He gives the best only if we trust Him wholly.
Seek Him out with pure intentions of a fellowship and have a relationship with Him. Let Him be the lover of your soul and the best friend you never had. Tarry in His presence as you await the next instructions and directions over things He is yet to reveal to you. Patiently wait on Him, Psalms 27:14.
So;
Can He trust you with that which He revealed to you?
Will you remain faithful even with the much that comes with the ‘promised land’?
Will He be sorry that He allowed you to enter that place? That He called you to make that journey?
Will you make it your idol?
Will you remain broken to His will afterwards?
Will you make it your comfort zone and sign out of the rest of it?
Or will He be glad that you remained faithful to Him?
My prayer is, that you will stand to be counted faithful to the end.
Lots of love ❤️
Kate
HIGHCARBLIVING 