Our Journeys and Adjournments

When was your last vacation? Some of us may be fortunate enough to pinpoint a getaway that wasn’t too incredibly long ago. Others of us can’t even remember how long it’s been! Wherever it falls on our timelines, we’ve all—hopefully!—experienced a joy of this kind, a freedom from our duties, obligations, and the stresses of everyday life.

However, we also know the whirlwind that comes when real life resumes. Whether it’s the “Sunday scaries” or the end of that long-anticipated honeymoon trip, we’ve all had to face the music of the reality to come. But here’s a brand-new point of view: When we really get down to it, every new turn is simply a quest of sorts, our journeys in the making.

What’s Next, Lord?

Okay, so the Israelites weren’t in paradise here in Deuteronomy 1, but they were at a bit of a standstill. God reminded them in the previous verse that they had stayed put for long enough; it was time for them to move along to the next phase of their journey. He details to them what would come next: “Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites and their neighbors in the Arabah, the hill country, the Judean foothills, the Negev and the sea coast—to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon as far as the great river, the Euphrates River.”

They had found themselves at a bit of a pause, a place of knowing what to expect…at least to some extent. And now they are being met with a series of unforeseen challenges that their God was leading them directly into. Can you imagine that?

Journeying On with Jesus

We all know this overwhelming feeling, the lack of mental and emotional preparation for whatever comes next. We can easily imagine the Israelites listening in anxiously, fearing the new people and challenges they were sure to be up against next. They knew from experience that following God meant doing difficult things…and clinging to the hope that only He provides. But they also knew that life wasn’t meant to be lived on pause, but rather in forward motion. Such were God’s instructions for His people then, and they’re true for us today, too.

In just this snippet of a verse, they don’t know the blessings that are in store for the future; they only see the hardships and discomfort that are up close. Don’t we so often feel the same? We can fathom the difficulties to come, yet we have trouble remembering that our God has promised to be with us every step of the way.

Remember: this journey we’re on, it’s a quest of sorts. We’re marching ahead, knowing that everlasting life is our reality, even if we’re uncertain as to how His goodness will pan out for us in the days ahead. This is the blessing of our faith; not knowing what’s next, but knowing Whose hand is guiding our future. The treasure of heaven is ours for the taking, His victory already in our midst. So, are we ready for the adventure that awaits? Do we really believe that His favor is with us as we journey on in obedience, no matter what comes next?

Now What?

Have you ever considered your walk with Jesus to be a journey, one that must be walked in faith? Reflect on the truth that God’s people didn’t know the blessings that were to come from their obedience; how does this encourage you in your current season of life? Take some time to ask the Lord for His guidance on this quest of sorts, that he would show you His love as you wait for His guidance in the very next step.