Circled Long Enough

     “You have circled this mountain long enough.”  With these words Moses gathered the Israelites and they began their trip out of the wilderness that they had called “home” for 38 years.  We might think they were desperately excited to move on, but chances are they were not.   First, they had grown accustomed to the routine of life in the wilderness.  They adjusted to their “new” normal and lived there for 38 years.  Life may not be all it once had been, but they had learned to enjoy life as it was.

     Second, leaving for the promised land meant they would soon have to fight for possession of that land.  It would be dangerous to do so.  Not only were they comfortable with the wilderness, they enjoyed the safety it afforded.  To leave that safety and security meant engaging their enemies.

     Our situation is much like theirs.  We have grown accustomed to the “new” normal of isolating and distancing.  We have grown comfortable with not gathering as church, whether in large groups, or in smaller groups.  We have also grown accustomed to being less involved in kingdom work.  Our enemy has not taken time off for the virus.  Lost folks still need a Savior, believers need to be encouraged, and truth needs to be spoken, received, and walked out.

     Perhaps we have circled this mountain long enough—it is time we move on.