Life is a Journey.

At times it would appear that my life is inconsistent to the plans or expectations that I had. Reality in life can stretch my faith simply by the way it differs to my plans, hopes and dreams. 

When I reflect on my life although I see and recognize progress made, I have to admit it is not because of me, but rather inspite of me, and how God is working behind the scenes. It's the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, bringing transformation, to make us more like Jesus. 

It's not always perceptible or recognised by a casual inspection, yet if you look carefully it is noticable. This is part of the Journey of Life of Faith. I found some quotes relating to this

Not all those who wander are lost.

J.R.R. Tolkien

This is profound if we consider that God led his people Israel on a journey out of Egypt to the promised land. To get out of slavery a journey was necessary. 

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

Exodus 15:13 NIV

There was a destination in mind, the holy dwelling of God for those who he has redeemed (we are the redeemed of the lord) so that promise is for us as well. 

However it's the journey that does the transformation, not the destination. Are you brave enough to do this? 

On the journey God will show us blind spots or things that require some adjustments, that we would not otherwise notice if we are in a place of comfort and complacency. It took Israel forty years of Journey for God to work out Egypt out of them, way longer than it was to get out of slavery. This I discovered is true for me and you as well.

The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.

Tony Robbins

Enjoy the journey of life and not just the endgame.

Benedict Cumberbatch

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.

Ernest Hemingway

In the Exodus account we find the Israelites at a place called Marah, and the water is bitter and undrinkable. 

The people complain bitterly (pun intended) to Moses, remember this is only three days after they had crossed the Red Sea, and had watched as Pharaoh and his army had been cast into and drowned. 

How quickly do we as people spring up a root of bitterness? 

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Hebrews 12:15 NIV

This bitterness was a test of God for the people of Israel, and similarly it is a test for us. 

Do we quickly turn to complain when things don't go as we hoped, planned or expected? Suddenly we get bitter about how hard life is and that God doesn't love us, moan, moan and moan. 

This root produces a sense of entitlement, I deserve or want better than the current situation. 

God uses this as an opportunity to once again reveal His plans and purposes. After Moses calls on God, the Father shows him a piece of wood, and instructs Moses to throw the wood into the water. 

Amazingly the water then becomes sweet and drinkable. Thereafter he gives the Israelites a lesson of obeying God (which is essentially trusting him) and promises that the disease and plagues that he brought on Egypt would not be on the people of God. 

I could not but think about the cross of Jesus, (made of none other than wood) that this is the place where we can find healing and find sweetness to get rid of the root of bitterness from our souls. 

Jesus took upon himself all the bitterness of sin and the curse of the law, purchasing for us freedom of ALL disease, of body and soul.

It was on the journey that God reveals himself and brings adjustment for us to be transformed bit by bit, piece by piece so that we can be more like Him.

Don't despise the Journey, embrace it, your plans and expectations may look very different to the path that Jesus takes you on, but he Knows what is good for you, and is committed to your transformation.



Comments

  1. Sean KrigeJuly 13, 2023 at 6:55 AM

    I am reminded that God didn't transform the 1st generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt... They all died (because of their lack of faith). Great journey vs destination post buddy!

    ReplyDelete

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