A while ago my friend Bob posed a question he heard while sitting in on board meeting of a very large media company. “All evidence points to this unprecedented global chaos continuing for many years; are people prepared for that likely eventuality?”
God, speaking through Moses a few thousand years ago, spoke to the Jewish nation when they were in a hard place, a wilderness place, not unlike the chaotic in-between place we are in. Here’s what He said…
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV
These people were in the wilderness — a land in between an apocalyptic life of slavery in Egypt and the promise of a land filled with milk and honey; i.e. the promised land.
These people were instructed to repeat these words daily to help them remember what to do as their world was spinning out of control wilderness wandering for 40 years. 40 years!
Perhaps like me, the unfolding of this present darkness has been rumbling in the background of your head and heart. Either you’re looking at it like “I think we’re getting back to business as usual” or “I believe things are getting worse” or you’re not thinking about it at all.
Jesus’ words to followers like you and me paint a picture beyond the wilderness of this accelerating present darkness — they tell us about our promised land.
“Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust Me…When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there. John 14:1-4 TLB [The Living Bible]
Now don’t get in a panic — I’m not saying Jesus is coming back today. I’m just reminding us Jesus said He would come again. No one knows when. The big question I found myself thinking is “What am I supposed to do while in this land in between?”
God is showing me very clearly;
- Love people, pray for those I disagree with, forgive quickly, keep trusting God.
- Read Bible stories to my granddaughter.
- Listen to the Spirit and do what He says.
To His disciples, you and me, who barely understand what is truly unfolding, Jesus said,
“I have told you all of this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 TLB
Pray
More and more I’m feeling like those people in the wilderness — in between. It does seem to be getting more chaotic. I’m concerned for my kids, my spouse, my job, and my country. Show me very clearly God what to do and how to be between the wilderness of today and the promised land.
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