Headlands of the Lost Coast, Humboldt County, February 2011
Wayfinding
Last week my husband Rich and I concluded a 10-day vacation. We filled each day with unhurried meanderings, marveling at the splendor of California’s northern coast and exploring back roads at whim. As we traveled, a single sentence that I’d heard recently at a seminar returned, over and over, to my mind:
“We thought about relocating, but it seemed we were so blessed where we were that it was hard to think of moving on.”
That sentiment resonates in me. Where we are is comfortable. It’s known. It’s safe. We’re blessed here.
The troubling bit is this: If we’re afraid to move because we’re so blessed here, aren’t we shrinking God? We might as well say, “This is the best God has for us.”
I believe the best He has for us is beyond my imagination. Thus, I shrivel my faith when I cling to a place (or a situation, or a condition) because I cannot imagine being more blessed in a different place, or situation, or condition.
I want the roots that nourish and stabilize us when winds of turmoil blow. But I also want to be ready to move on to a different place, or situation, or condition, when called to do so.
My prayer for today is that rather than clinging to a place, or situation, or condition, we’ll cling instead to God and trust that if He leads us to change, He’ll bless us in the changing.
Father, be the cloud over us. We’ll follow You.
36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.Exodus 40:36-38 (NASB)
Thanks for sharing those thoughts. Sometimes the “Undiscovered Country”, be it physical or emotional, is a terrifying thing to contemplate. (Star Trek VI)
Thanks, Red! Live long and prosper 🙂