In Biblestudy we have been studying the Israelite's journey out of Egypt. Today in particular, their stop in the dessert at Mt. Sinai or "the mountain of God". If you aren't familiar with this specific stop, it was as far from the land God had promised them as they could get. They left Egypt and God led them in the opposite direction. In Exodus 19:2 it says "...and there Israel camped in front of the mountain." As the author of the study talked about how the Nation of Israel was far from their promised land, yet they camped out facing the mountain and waited, I was struck with the realization that I would not have unpacked and camped there. I would most likely have been looking around (bags in hand) yelling, "Don't get too comfy - we're bound for the promise land, you know, and this surely isn't it!"
In fact, I would go so far as to say that I am continually following God with my carry on luggage, just waiting for that big, spacious land flowing with abundance and comfort to come my way. When it doesn't arrive I look around holding my bags and tell God "I'm ready to move on when you are - but I'm NOT getting comfy here!" I'm not sure if it's a symptom of our "mile-a-minute" culture where the food, entertainment, or information can't be delivered fast enough, or if maybe I'm just a bit hyper active and hard to please! Either way, how can I really learn from Him and grow if I'm too busy holding luggage and looking at the map? How can I let any lesson He teaches me really grow to fruition in my life if I am just nodding my head while my eyes are focused on what comes next.
Earlier today I was trying to give my son a lesson on dealing with his sister, but as I knelt and talked to him I noticed his eyes were focused passed me onto something else. He was already moving on and didn't want to learn how to avoid a sibling blow-up in the future. I was trying to be frustrated with him, but I could see myself in him too! I often want God to help me solve my problems, but when it comes time to learn the lesson part of the problem, I'm already moving on and focusing my attention on the next thing. I want to stop racing through life with my luggage dragging behind me and my eyes on the next destination. I want to lean in to what God is doing and saying in my life right now. Right here. I'm ready to camp out at his feet and wait for Him to speak and work on my heart. I'm ready to unpack and actually put some of my clothes in the drawers, I'm sure He'll give me plenty of time to pack up before He moves me on. If not, I don't think it's stuff I need anyway :)
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