Last month my family and I moved to a new town. Each member
of the family dealt with the move differently. At first I wasn’t too keen on
the idea. Quite honestly, it felt like I went kicking and screaming internally
the whole time. I was thankful that I only moved one town over from where I had
previously lived; however, I had only ever lived in that town so the transition
was hard at first.
Naturally, like with any move, I had to get used to new
things. My surroundings were new, the neighbors were new, my daily routine
changed, and learning to drive new routes was challenging. Very challenging… In
fact this was probably one of the most challenging changes for me.
Confession: I am terrible with directions. In fact I think I
may have spatial awareness issues! I just don’t understand all the different
highways, intersections, interstates etc. I understand landmarks, but not
roads. So driving the past few weeks has been interesting to say the least. I’ve
taken so many wrong exits so many times I must have circled three or four towns.
After finding myself driving down the same road without making it to my
destination I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
“God,” I said. “This feels like my life right now! I feel
like I’m going around in circles trying to figure out what to do and where to
go. I feel like I’m in a holding pattern!” I prayed.
Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever felt like you
were going around in circles, trying to navigate new roads without any clue
where to turn? It’s easy to laugh off our mistakes when other people are
around, or even defend ourselves but deep down our hearts can feel the
discouragement.
God’s chosen people, the Israelites, were once in a similar
situation. After being enslaved in Egypt under a harsh ruler, then being set
free by God’s mighty hand of power, and having to wander the desert wilderness
for forty years due to disobedience, God’s chosen people were finally ready to
inherit the Promised Land.
The Promised Land was precisely what it sounds like,
a land promised to them by God. But their move also included many challenges,
changes and new beginnings. In fact, before crossing over the Jordan River to
get to the Promised Land, God told the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant
(where God’s Presence was) before the people so that they could follow Him.
After three days the
officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see
the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests
carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you
will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep
a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near
it.” Joshua 3:2-4
They crossed the River because God parted it, just as He did
the Red Sea and all the Israelites crossed over. (I personally love that they
set up a landmark after they got to the other side in order that they would
remember what God had done. I certainly can relate to recognizing landmarks!)
Then a little later on after crossing, they came to a city
called Jericho It was walled off to keep out other people. Joshua the leader of
the Israelites told all the mighty men of valor to march around the city one
time each day for six days. On the seventh day they were to march around the
city seven times. On the seventh day also they were to blow seven rams’ horns
and the walls of the city would fall down.
Really? No charging the city by force or trying to tear down
the walls on their own? Just march in circles? But you know what? Joshua obeyed
God and the walls did fall down. The Israelites conquered not only the city of
Jericho, but many other cities promised to them as well. How did they do it?
They followed God, listened to Him and trusted Him. They didn’t try to figure
everything out on their own. They didn’t question what God was doing even
though they too were walking in circles. They were in a holding pattern.
Thankfully though, holding patterns don’t last forever.
This history in the Bible really resonated with me. Perhaps
it resonates with you too. I don’t like to wait. In fact I’m still working in
this area of patience. Patience means more than waiting though. Patience means
trusting that God has it all figured out and that He knows where we are
supposed to walk. We don’t always understand what He’s doing but He merely asks
us to trust Him and wait for His perfect timing. His ways are certainly higher
than our own.
I encourage you to trust the Lord with whatever it is you’re
trying to figure out. You may be in a holding pattern for a period of time and
that’s ok. God is working on your behalf.
Since ancient times
no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, Who
acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. Isaiah 64:4
I’m learning to trust God more. The new routine has gotten
easier, my surroundings are more normal to me and I’ve met some new neighbors
as well! I still need my GPS to navigate different routes, but I’m grateful
that even without my GPS I always have God’s Presence with me. He’s not in the
ark like He was with the Israelites, but He’s all around me and living in my
heart.
God is present with all of His children; leading, guiding
and loving them.
.jpg)
