Breaking Camp
As I discern what God is wanting me to do I always hope it is something I am comfortable with. I know God wants us to get out of our comfort zones but that can be hard. I have watched a friend step out in faith and leave a job, not knowing where God is sending him next. He is listening to God and plans to be still and quiet for a while. He is breaking camp - something I needed to hear!
My friend shared a devotion with me, sent to him by a friend, that sums up his feelings about leaving his job. It comes from the book, “Unshakeable” by Christine Caine. “God in His great mercy always calls us to progress into our future so we don’t overstay in the wrong place just like he did for the children of Israel when they needed help advancing to the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 1: 6-7, ‘The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates.’ There was a beautiful land ahead for the children of Israel filled with mountains, foothills, rivers and a coastline - perfect for flourishing. They had to step out in faith. There's so much good ahead for you! So risk the next move and step into your future. Break camp.”
Sometimes I have a tendency to grow roots, make camp, settle down and get comfortable. If we are to be growing in God then He is always nudging us to press on. Think of the blessings that lie ahead if we trust Him and move forward in faith! If we stay put, never moving forward, we become dry bones with broken dreams with no hope. God gives us visions and dreams and puts a passion in our hearts. My experience is the journey can and will be tough. The opposition is fierce bringing many challenges and making us weary. If we let fear or insecurities sneak in, we will not press on but stay where it is comfortable and never move on. Instead we need to lean on our faith and press us on!
I think I have been known to camp at the foot of a mountain for years before I took the first step. Finally after a few steps I saw a pretty view. Rested a while and pressed on to an even better view. Sometimes I was too weary to move forward. Sometimes the conditions were not perfect for me so I sat still. Finally I moved a little higher up and got excited by the view. I began seeing that view gets better and better. The faith begins to grow and I begin to trust that there is something better! The only way to advance is to break camp and press on in faith!
I may not be there yet but if I break camp and press on, God will get me to my destination, even if I don't know where it is!