Waiting

My husband and I have become quite a team for navigating new territory in the car. We've seen parts of France and Italy in a car that were brand new to us, but have kept our sense of humor and seen some of the most beautiful cities and scenery by working out our system of directions. We have circled roundabouts many, many, many times, until we are sure of the right route. I've asked directions in languages I'm not at all conversant in. And through it all, we've managed not only to laugh and enjoy the ride, but learn a great deal about how we work together as a team. (In France, this system also included walkie talkies to a car with my parents. Stories for another time...) 

Sometimes, however, when my husband and I are driving a familiar route, he'll ask me for directions as if, occasionally, his mind forgets how to get to the airport or a friend's house despite the fact that we have driven there many times before. When I remind him of the route, he'll joke about it by saying, "But we've never been this way before." I reassure him that it's true; this is a new route that we're trying and he'll remember the next time. 

The Israelites wandering in the desert after their escape from slavery in Egypt had plenty of navigational opportunities. Moses led them for 40 years by following the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. And when he disappeared on Mount Sinai for 40 days, Aaron and the others quickly gravitated toward the default value system of their past by building an idol so they would have some sense of leadership. Where there is a vacuum in leadership, people will follow anything that seems plausible. Another lesson entirely.

After Moses' death, Joshua carried the mantle of leadership as the one God had chosen to lead the people into the Promised Land. The wandering was over; the law had been given; the nation had been established. Now all that remained was to kick out all the people already living there and claim the territory for the Israelites as God has commanded. No problem. But this is new territory. And they are surrounded by scary people. And the Israelites are weary from their wandering and aren't sure of the future. Gosh, this doesn't sound like anything I've ever experienced. How about you? Here's some help for us in navigating what could be uncharted life territory. 

            Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the convenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it."

            5Joshua told the people, "consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." 

            6Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people." so they took it up and went ahead of them.

            7And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.'" (Joshua 3:1-8)

I see several application points in this passage that are helping me navigate my own personal life transition currently. See if any of them resonate with what you're experiencing now or have experienced in the past. If not, wait a bit. It's probably around the corner. At least you'll be prepared. 

Wait For Instructions -- Verse 1 tells us that the Israelites camped by the Jordan river for three days before God gave His specific instructions. I'm guessing those three days felt a lot longer to a group of people who were so close to embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. They'd heard about the Red Sea from their parents or grandparents (who had all died in the desert), and they'd heard Moses talking about what the Promised Land would be like, but here they were, on the shore of the river, and they had to wait. I hate waiting. I hate waiting at red lights. I hate waiting in line at the grocery store. I hate waiting for something to arrive in the mail. And, can I say this? I hate waiting for God's instructions. I will do anything He tells me to do (or so I think), let's just move! But here's what I think I'm discovering: the waiting forces me to press into Him more deeply to hear the instructions, and I catch a glimpse of His heart for me in those times of waiting and listening that I just don't experience when I'm moving. Think there's something in that? Yeah, me too. 

Look For God -- The people were supposed to watch for the priests who were carrying the ark of the covenant, and that would be their signal to move. What a sense of anticipation there must have been among the tribes of Israel! What a sense of anticipation among the priests, knowing that they were going to be the ones to hear first from God! The ark of the covenant contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, manna and Aaron's staff - all symbols of God's power, love and provision. Most importantly, the ark contained and represented God Presence. The Israelites were supposed to look for God's Presence and follow. We are to do no less. In seasons of waiting, the most important thing we can do is to watch for God's activity. He is always moving, and sometimes He chooses to clue us in on what He's doing. If He does, we can move. Move toward Him. And when we catch that glimpse, the waiting doesn't seem so long or so useless. Those glimpses make my heart sing and my adrenaline flow. I live for them.

Anticipate -- Joshua tells the Israelites in verse 6 to consecrate themselves because the next day God would do amazing things among them. In the waiting, do you live with a sense of expectation and anticipation? Do you think God will do something amazing in your life or in the lives of the people you know? Or do you think all those biblical promises are for other people? This is one reason why it is so important to know the Scriptures. God loves and involves His children in His plans. If it's true for others it's true for me. And I can't let myself get bored or distracted in the waiting. I must discipline myself to keep expecting great things from God, even when it feels like time's a wastin'. Build in my times of peace, as it were.

Of all these similarities between Joshua's situation and ours, I find one salient difference to be the most striking and the most encouraging in this, a season of rest and waiting in my life. Look at the instructions to the Israelites in verse 4 concerning the ark of the covenant: "...keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it." Why couldn't the Israelites go near the ark? Because it was where God was and only the priests who had been called to serve Him in the tabernacle were allowed to go near His Holy Presence. Why is that encouraging? Because in the Old Testament, God's Presence was confined to the ark of the covenant and the temple. That's where He lived and only the priests and prophets could communicate with Him. Then Jesus came and men, women and children could come right up to God and touch Him. Kids climbed into His lap and He touched the unclean in society. Finally, with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, every believer has access to God's Presence through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Look at these New Testament verses encouraging us to draw near to God:

"Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:8)

"...let us draw near to god with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22)

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

So what can we do in the various transitions of life? Wait for instructions, look for God and anticipate His activity. But most importantly, we can draw near to the Father who made us and loves us because in times of transition and waiting, His Presence is its own reward.

•  Are you in a season of waiting or transition? How can you draw near to God, and look for His activity in your life?

• Take time this week to be still and listen for God. If you are waiting to hear from Him for your next move, let Him know your feelings and ask your questions. Then be still and listen. Look around you this week with a sense of anticipation, and look for Him.