God asked Moses to log the campsites and Moses kept a detailed account. Then, God spoke to Moses about the four borders of the Promised Land and the men in charge of distributing the land. And Moses did all the detail, administrative work that God commanded.
What's interesting to me is what's missing: whining or pleading from Moses just to be allowed to take a step into the Promised Land. I mean, after all, he'd only messed up once with that silly rock thing and shouldn't he be given just a moment in the destination that he'd led this grumbling, difficult people to?
But Moses didn't look back. He didn't even look sideways. His eyes were on His God. He knew he was going to die soon and yet he continued to do God's work down to crossing every "T" and dotting every "I". Sadly, I think my response would be very different. I'd be looking back at all my mistakes, every sin and lamenting over my failures. I'd be looking sideways at how people were assessing my life and wondering what would be said about me when I was gone.
I know that I've done that even this week -- my eyes roving all around, looking at how I'm being perceived; managing my image; making idols of trying to handle my life well; blaspheming God by questioning His sovereignty in the difficulties of this week.
What kept Moses from begging God for a taste of the milk and honey? Was is that he had tasted and seen God so intimately that he knew that life on the other side, in Heaven, in God's presence eternally, was far beyond anything in the Promised Land?
This morning, I went for a run after being out of commission for a few weeks. It hurt. My breathing was labored. My legs felt heavy. I fought to keep my shoulders from slumping. I had to keep going because I had to get home. I could have sat down on the side of the road and just stayed there, waiting for it to rain to get a drink of water; watching the other runners, bikers, and cars go by. I wouldn't have had to endure the pain of shoving the asphalt from underneath my feet for yet another mile. (Kind of like a Gad!) But, I wanted to get home; to feel the lovely endorphins kick in, to sit in my comfy chair, to drink a refreshing glass of water. The eye of my mind was on the prize: Home.
God, help me to be like Moses, not asking for what You have sovereignly not given me here on earth, but keeping my eyes on You, willing to go another mile, to take the risk, to endure the pain, to feel Your pleasure.
1 comment:
Amen, Staci! I think it's a battle of the heart and mind to keep my eyes on Jesus. I don't know why it's so hard to truly believe that what God's given me is exactly what He has for me, like He somehow forgot what I'd really asked for. My pride is outrageous in so many ways, thinking that I know what's best for me, especially considering He's the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE.
Today is one of those days that I have to believe that God knows what He's doing. We're visiting my MIL who often brings out the worst in me (internally, thankfully - I bite my tongue A LOT.)
But I'm trusting God with my thoughts and emotions and with the ability to show love and grace. So far, so good though...granted, it's only been a few hours together. haha Today is the real test. I would appreciate ANY prayers!
Love, Cici
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