I have always found it interesting that when you begin studying one thing all these other stimuli come to support that search. I watched the archaeological documentary “Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus”. Then I saw a video devotion “Wild Places”, the session called “Goshen”. This was the land the Israelites inhabited while in Egypt. I knew they resided in Goshen, but I learned that the name means “draw near”. A few days later, I was listening to TobyMac’s “Promised Land” when it all swirled together in a fascinating way. Our spiritual journeys are like the Exodus story.
This next part is a paraphrasing of the book of Exodus. Egypt had come to forget the contributions of Joseph and look down on the foreigners in their land; making them their servants and slaves. The Israelites remembered they were a chosen people and longed for their promises to be fulfilled. However, the vast desert was before them and a powerful ruler held sway over their lives. The oversimplified steps: there’s a burning bush moment (met with some resistance), preparing for departure (also met with resistance), and life on the road (resistance in cycles). As difficult as the Israelites’ time in Egypt had become, it was the familiar; the tolerable when compared to the daunting journey through the wilderness. When hardships came during their journey, they longed for the relative comfort of their oppression in Egypt. A slave in a land of plenty seemed preferable to desert survival as a free people. Yet, forty years of nomad life and following God led them to their promised land.
In my own journey, coming into the faith (learning what that even meant), growing in maturity and strengthening my character, raising children while homeschooling and the guidance that provided, was all a season of drawing near. It was my time in Goshen. The Holy Spirit urging me to write the book and giving me a vision of public speaking, was my burning bush moment. I responded similarly to Moses with “This will be such a disruption to my life. Surely there is someone better than me.” However, the Lord calls who He calls whether they feel suited to the task or not. Preparing for the exodus from my norm was writing the book. Then into the wilderness I traveled as I sought a publisher and trusted God would guide the process. Every day He inspires my direction. I trust in His promise that the path is before me and all I must do is take the next step. If I walk in this season of “the wilderness” for the next forty years, I will count it as a blessing. “Where’s my Promised Land,” as TobyMac’s song asks? A heavenly new earth, with a new Jerusalem, waits beyond the veil.
In our journeys we begin in Goshen; our time to draw near. Some come to the faith and immediately look for the reward. What is my sign on bonus with membership? As if forgiveness from sin is not enough, they want the promised land upon arrival. On the other hand, still more understand that cultivating must be done to grow. We do the church thing, enjoying the “drawing near” feeling, and then return to our place in the world. Too many like to be coddled in their faith; to continue to be poured into without reaching the point of entering the next phase.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready.” 1 Corinthians 3: 1-2 (NLT)
If you spend your whole journey of faith in the land of Goshen, how do you expect to get to the promised land? Maybe you feel stuck between your everyday and a longing for a deeper journey with God. Perhaps you have a “burning bush” moment where you feel the Spirit calling you to action. You might respond willingly, or begrudgingly, or maybe you think that’s one messed up bush. “La, la, la. I don’t hear anything.” You’ll walk that line between the fertile land and the desert crossing only to talk yourself out of action. Our complacency in faith can have this effect as we live without claiming our freedom from this plentiful world of darkness. You have to break away from your norm, your expected, your comfort zone, and follow God into the wilderness. Scary? Yes! Filled with uncertainly? Sure. However, think on this, when Jesus said in Matthew 10:38 “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine,” (NLT) He wasn’t saying your cross would be on a furniture dolly with wheels; such an undertaking comes with some struggling. It requires you to make an exodus from your place in the old world you were called from in order to find yourself in the land you are promised. That means time in the desert lands relying on God to supply all your needs. He is ever present as you sojourn in the wilderness.
Have you heard the call stir your spirit? Do you stand at the desert’s edge, straining to glimpse the promised land, only to turn back to the oppressive life because it’s what you know, it’s where everyone else is, it’s “comfortable?” Step out! Begin your personal exodus from the world’s hold on you and walk in faith. Your promised land is waiting.
Author Dellaca Ferraiz Reynolds 