Long Enough, Turn and Take Your Journey  

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a rut; like you are just going in circles, can’t get your feet out of the mud, and getting nowhere?  I have.  Sometimes we have so much to do that we can’t even see the things we have done because something else has taken its place.   Now that’s what I call being busy!

Then there is the flip side to that “coin”, those things we are trying to overcome in our lives, like changing old habits for new ones.   Maybe it’s getting your spending in line with your income – otherwise known as budgeting.  Maybe it’s losing weight (did I have to mention that??).  Maybe its getting rid of that anger that wells up out of control from time to time, or maybe its resentment or jealousy.  Maybe it’s changing your vocabulary to line up with the Word of God.  I’m not saying that you speak foul language I’m just saying that if our words are not lining up with God’s Word, then we need to change our vocabulary.  The list is endless and I’m sure you could pick from the list above or come up with you own.  We all have those areas we are working on.

We always have something to conquer, a task to complete, or something to learn; otherwise known as a mountain.  Every day is filled with a never-ending list of things to do.  There will always be a mountain to “get over or to get done”.  And in case you haven’t noticed, mountains all connect at the base, running together or maybe separated a bit by a valley, but actually I see them connected and having a root and joining at the base.  To me it means that what we think is one kind of problem can actually be rooted somewhere else in our life.

One might think they need a bigger house when in reality they need to clear the clutter in the one they have!  One might think others don’t like them but because they fear being rejected they are not friendly.

God told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 1:6 that they had dwelt on the mountain long enough.  Some of us need to realize that we have taken “long enough” to change; or should I say to allow God to change us.  God does not change but He changes us from glory to glory, if we let Him.  Notice the key to the change is if we let Him.  This change will only happen if we renew our mind to the Word of God (Romans 12:2).  We have to make quality decisions to make changes in our lives.  No one else can do it for us.  We are accountable for our growth in the Lord.

In Deuteronomy 1:7 God told them to “turn and take their journey”.  We need to understand that this “changing” is a life time event and that means a process.  As we grow in His Word He will show us those things that need change. The first step to change is repentance.  That’s right.  Nothing changes without repentance.  Nothing changes without change.  It is time to grow up and be who we are to be in Christ.  It is time to not walk in offense; not taking offense and not giving offense.  Repent if you are caught in this trap; turn and take your journey to walk in love and forgiveness.

In Deuteronomy 1:8  He told them, He set the land before them and go in and possess the land.  The land we are to possess is the Word of God.  We are to know it and apply its power to our heart and our mind allowing God to change us into His Image.  We are to be the example of the Truth that God has shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5).  We can walk in love.  We can forgive.  We can be kind and friendly.  We can be disciplined in our choices. We can be successful.  How?  By obeying Joshua 1:8 where we are told to observe to do according to all that is written in the Law (the Bible).  When we do, we make our way prosperous and we will have good success.

We don’t have to be afraid of the change that God wants to make in us.  He only has good plans for us.  He only has blessings to give us.  More and better blessings than what we can even think.  So go ahead and be brave.  Obey His command in Deuteronomy 1:9 and be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.