Years ago, our family travelled to Annapolis, MD. I have no clue as to the purpose of the trip, but we definitely got lost (days before GPS). We repeatedly ended up at the guard shack at the Naval Base. Of course, my father refused to ask directions. He believed we would eventually get lucky and end up on the correct road.
The miles clicked away. I’m not so sure he felt so lucky anymore. We cranky and hungry kids sweltered in the heat of the back seat. The interior emotional temperature of the car’s occupants ramped up. We kids kept asking, “Are we there yet?”.
KEEP REPEATING THE SAME MISTAKES
Do you feel that way? Maybe if you just keep at it, eventually you will get lucky and find your life’s great destination. Yet you keep repeating the same mistakes, caught in a loop of futility. You do not feel very lucky or favored by God (or by anyone else for that matter).
40 YEARS OF WANDERING
I wonder if that is how the Israelites felt during the 40 years they wandered around in the wilderness. As they progress, the Egyptian culture, mindset, and religion painfully shreds off their souls. The process is lengthy because the Israelites keep repeating the same mistakes.
The majority of Israelites resist this journey. When they finally view the Promised Land, they fall back in horror and fear of its inhabitants. They hear the fearful reports of the scouting party. Numbers 14:1-4 records: That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
THEY PREFER A LOOP OF FUTILITY
They would rather go back into slavery than to go forward with God; rather go back into darkness than to travel to the light. God’s people prefer a loop of futility, rather than trust this Holy God.
During your life’s season, has your road map become confusing; a little twisted? Have you, like the Israelites, decided to trust your own resources rather than the wisdom and resources of a Holy God Who loves you?
THE INVITATION
This is the ideal season to stop trusting yourself and begin trusting God. He is truthful, honest, holy, loving and reliable. Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Want to break that loop of futility? Jesus invites you: “Come!”