This current season I am in is more challenging than the last, but also more stretching. God has called me to a place that causes greater trust in His goodness, which is exciting, but also difficult at times. In light of these present challenges, God keeps leading me back to stories of the Israelites' travels through the wilderness. There is one particular aspect of the story that He keeps convicting me of, and I felt compelled to share my thoughts on the story.
Throughout the various accounts of
the Israelites traveling out of Egypt to the Promised Land, one of the most
common things they are criticized for by modern readers is complaining. As we
read the accounts of all the crazy miracles they witnessed in Egypt - the
various plagues coupled with the fact that Pharaoh actually let them leave, the
parting of the Red Sea, and bread literally falling from the sky - the people
of Israel never failed to find something else to complain about.
Take Exodus 17 as an example. In
verse 3 of the chapter, the Israelites basically accuse Moses of taking them
out of Egypt so that they could all die of thirst. As a reader, this is an
incredibly frustrating moment. We tend to scream inwardly at them, "Are
you kidding?? How many times does God have to deliver you for you to believe
that He will always deliver you?"
But the thing about scripture is
that it was not recorded because it happened; stories in scripture were
recorded because they happen.
How many times in our lives do we
look around at our circumstances and inwardly accuse God of exactly the same
thing?
Hey, God, thanks so much for
calling me into ministry so that you could leave me to fall into bankruptcy.
Hey, God, thanks so much for "blessing" me with a car that consistently breaks down and causes more problems than it is worth.
Hey, God, thanks so much for giving me a family that continually causes me stress and anxiety.
The fact of the matter is, that any
of the above attitudes reflect the same attitude the Israelites adopted as they
traveled through the wilderness. It is an attitude of ungratefulness and pride.
The belief that we deserve better than what God says is enough.
This realization is difficult to
swallow, but I believe it is actually the key to a more fulfilled life. When we
identify our wrong attitudes, we then have the opportunity to shift them.
When we face difficulties and
challenges, it means that life is hard. It may mean that we are being stretched
for the sake of growth. But here is the key question: do difficulties and
challenges mean that God is any less good?
Of course, the answer is no! He is
the same yesterday, today, and forever. He continues to provide and deliver
because of His great goodness.
So here is my challenge, in turn,
for you: The next time you feel like you are between a rock and a hard place
(or, if you feel you are there right now), look at the story of the people of
Israel traveling out of Egypt. And instead of looking at it as, "Well, God
poured out on favor on them, and He will do it for me, too," put yourself
in their place.
Literally imagine how you would
feel as one of them. Realize that their reactions to their struggles merely
reflect their humanity.
But then, look at it one more time
and CHOOSE to change your perspective, not out of judgment for the Israelites,
but for the sake of seeing things from a higher perspective. Choose to look at
what God was doing to grow His children during that season. And then apply this
attitude to your present situation.
These are my thoughts on the
matter, and the process I am learning to apply in my own life right now. I
sincerely hope that this post does not come across as self-righteous,
condemning, or unnecessarily harsh because of its directness. I am learning and
processing along with you.
What are your thoughts on this
story? How do you deal with hardships and challenging seasons in your own walk
with God?
