Loading...Others want their life to be exactly the way it is right now, different from the past but no major changes in the future. They usually have enough to survive, and life is bearable. These people don’t want to face the unknown challenges they would encounter if they tried something new. They also don’t want to return to the old life which was difficult. They just want to get by with what they have right now.
There is a third group of people who don’t want to return to the past or stay camped where they are. These people want more of life even though they will have to face many unknown challenges venturing into the future. The possibilities for a better and more joyous life is the driving force these people. They are heading to an unknown future, but a future with promise.
If we thumbed through the pages of scripture from Exodus and Numbers, we would find the people of the nation of Israel facing the same choices. After years of slavery in Egypt and praying to be delivered from the harsh life under Pharaoh, Moses, acting under God’s direction, brings Pharaoh to his knees, and the people are finally released from their life of bondage.
When the people leave Egypt and camp in the desert, God provides them with food and water. Life is not easy in the desert, but they are given enough for their daily needs. Even though they have left their houses behind in Egypt, living in tents with their freedom seems to be better than their old life of slavery. God, however, has promised them a new land of their own. A place which is said to flow with “milk and honey.” But when the scouts return from checking out the land, they report of giants living there who cannot be defeated. The Israelites are gripped with fear and do not want to go to this “Promised Land.”
So a choice had to be made. Do they go back to Egypt and slavery where they at least had food, water, and homes. Or do they stay in the harsh desert and hope the food and water will not run out. Or do they trust in the promises of God and venture into the unknown with the hope of a life filled with abundance.
We have the same choice to make about our future. We can attempt to return to the past and try to recreate life the way it used to be even though those who have previously tried discovered the past can never be recreated.
Or we can choose to stay right where we are, not going forward and not going backwards. Just standing still hoping for the best.
Or we can trust our Lord in leading us to an exciting fruitful future. There will be trials and challenges along the way, but the rewards of this journey, will far outweigh the bumps and dips encountered.
So which direction should we head? Should we turn to our past looking for glory which is no longer there? Should we dig in where we are and hope to survive another day? Or should we let go of our fears and head for the Promised Land? If we are to pursue God’s mission, is there really a choice?
Fr. Tom
