getting into real estate...
I can see the "up for grabs" sign already...
...flowing with milk and honey...hmmm...sounds lovely doesn't it? Perhaps I'll pitch my hammock under those trees and sip margaritas. When someone says "Promise Land", my mind instantly wanders to a place that is beautiful, lush, and ready to be relaxed in. It seems to skip over the micro fine print at the bottom of the contract: may house giants, and large fortressed cities filled with unfriendly people.
I find it interesting that God didn't lead a people across the desert to the lap of luxury. They didn't get to pitch their tents in the plains of ease and convenience. He brought them to a place overflowing with bounty so they could taste and see His goodness. But it was also filled with challenge and obstacles so that the people would learn to trust Him and seek His guidance.
The first rounders missed out because of two things:
fear and doubt.
Fear of what they couldn't accomplish.
Doubt of what God could.
When they finally got it (and after 40 years you think they would!) they crossed over the line.
There wasn't a battle won where God's counsel wasn't first sought.
There wasn't a city destroyed where His arm was absent.
There wasn't anything so great in all the land that God wasn't greater still.
But the coolest thing is that it wasn't just about the reward - it was a life lesson. God was showing His people the reality of what living by faith looked like. He was teaching them not to judge by the externals, but to overcome by trusting in what they could not see.
Last night God drew a line in the sand.
On the other side was the Promised Land.
It didn't just come packaged with the promise of prosperity...but the promise of obstacles, challenges, giants.
The only thing standing in my way were two things.
Fear.
Doubt.
I could receive...but that would mean I would have to lay down my own strength and walk in His.
Did I want it enough?
Was I ready for the pain?
Was I willing to seek God first on every battlefront?
I could receive...but it meant work.
Effort.
An end to apathy and spiritual laziness.
Nothing ever comes for free...there is always a bottom line - even if you don't have to pay upfront.
Even grace cost Heaven.
And in this moment I realized...this promised land isn't just a place...
it's people.
They are made in His image, and His promises are already in them.
Will we step over the line of the fear of man, and stop doubting what God can accomplish?
Will we face the giants?
Stand at the walls of strongholds with but a shout upon our lips?
Will we set captives free with our obedience?
Our praise?
Our allegiance to God?
How badly do we really want the Promised land?
Do we see the treasure?
The reward beyond the battle?
It's waiting...
Let's hope it doesn't take 40 years...
...flowing with milk and honey...hmmm...sounds lovely doesn't it? Perhaps I'll pitch my hammock under those trees and sip margaritas. When someone says "Promise Land", my mind instantly wanders to a place that is beautiful, lush, and ready to be relaxed in. It seems to skip over the micro fine print at the bottom of the contract: may house giants, and large fortressed cities filled with unfriendly people. I find it interesting that God didn't lead a people across the desert to the lap of luxury. They didn't get to pitch their tents in the plains of ease and convenience. He brought them to a place overflowing with bounty so they could taste and see His goodness. But it was also filled with challenge and obstacles so that the people would learn to trust Him and seek His guidance.
The first rounders missed out because of two things:
fear and doubt.
Fear of what they couldn't accomplish.
Doubt of what God could.
When they finally got it (and after 40 years you think they would!) they crossed over the line.
There wasn't a battle won where God's counsel wasn't first sought.
There wasn't a city destroyed where His arm was absent.
There wasn't anything so great in all the land that God wasn't greater still.
But the coolest thing is that it wasn't just about the reward - it was a life lesson. God was showing His people the reality of what living by faith looked like. He was teaching them not to judge by the externals, but to overcome by trusting in what they could not see.
On the other side was the Promised Land.
It didn't just come packaged with the promise of prosperity...but the promise of obstacles, challenges, giants.
The only thing standing in my way were two things.
Fear.
Doubt.
I could receive...but that would mean I would have to lay down my own strength and walk in His.
Did I want it enough?
Was I ready for the pain?
Was I willing to seek God first on every battlefront?
I could receive...but it meant work.
Effort.
An end to apathy and spiritual laziness.
Nothing ever comes for free...there is always a bottom line - even if you don't have to pay upfront.
Even grace cost Heaven.
And in this moment I realized...this promised land isn't just a place...
it's people.
They are made in His image, and His promises are already in them.
Will we step over the line of the fear of man, and stop doubting what God can accomplish?
Will we face the giants?
Stand at the walls of strongholds with but a shout upon our lips?
Will we set captives free with our obedience?
Our praise?
Our allegiance to God?
How badly do we really want the Promised land?
Do we see the treasure?
The reward beyond the battle?
It's waiting...
Let's hope it doesn't take 40 years...
posted by The Bean Bag Chair at 1:38 PM
4 Comments:
What a challenge! Waiting. Allowing.
Thank you.
Beanbag chairs are available in many shapes, sizes and fabric choices. The price of a beanbag chairs depends on the materials and size you purchase. Today to purchase a beanbag chairs from the furniture is much cheaper than you design to make your own. Sales from the furniture shops will come with an offer two or three times per year and some will be up to 50% for sales. To make your own the cost of workmanship is very high.When buying a beanbag chairs see that the materials can easily be wash in the washing machine or by hands. The beads can easily takes out and refill. The good of beanbag chairs it gives full relaxation for your back when watching television or reading newspaper
"bedroom furniture" makes a great point....
beanbag chairs DO give some nice relaxation.
I should follow those generously provided links
Hey Anna-Marie,
I had no idea you were a blogger...I should have guessed though! Glad to have stumbled upon this space and I hope you are doing well.
Blessings, Heidi
Post a Comment
<< Home