If you grew up going to Vacation Bible School every summer, you know the story of Jericho. And if you don't, here's a quick recap.
Basically, the Israelites have finally made it to the Promised Land. They've had to fight battles, cross seas, run for their lives - their journey has been no easy task. But God promised them they would make it, and they did. After their long journey, God takes care of them by ensuring their Manna supply holds them over for a while. But some time passes, they're getting settled into their new home, finally catching up on some rest, I'm sure, and God talks to Joshua. God tells Joshua that his people are to take the city of Jericho... and here's the catch, the city is surrounded on all sides by a large, protective wall. "Oh, that old thing?" God basically says. "Don't worry about that... here's what you do: You're gonna march around it one time for seven days, and then on the seventh day you're going to march around it seven times. Oh, and your priests are going to need to carry big ram's horns while you do it." (obviously a paraphrase). And once they do all that God tells them to, the walls are supposed to just fall down and then they can enter the city.... Wait, what. Like...God... you have got to be kidding me. I just fought for my life, escaped people trying to kill me, and walked for days to get to this land. I have literally just started getting settled. And now you want me to do THIS!? Can't I just rest?? This is good enough. Or atleast, that probably would have been my response. Nahhh you all go on without me, I'm good here. But the amazing thing is, there is no record of the Israelites even complaining! Not only did they do what they were told, they did not hesitate. Though we do not know if they did it joyfully, they definitely did it faithfully. And that's the part that gets me. Because I'm not so sure I would have. In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have. I see it in my life now... when things get hard, I want to just settle. I want to just quit. The Lord has been beyond faithful to me, blessing me abundantly, and yet when he calls me to go just a bit further, I withdraw. I say, no thank you, this is good enough. That's where the Israelites and I differ. Now, of course I am not comparing my struggle to theirs, but I think the parallel is pretty clear. This story really has had me thinking, what is my Jericho? What challenging, at times seemingly hopeless task has the Lord called me to? And... am I responding in faithfulness? When I first got accepted to graduate school, it was a dream come true. I even described it as a miracle. It was everything I had been hoping and praying for. I was certain I had found what the Lord was calling me to. When I decided to take a year off and do Americorps, I experienced leaving home for the first time, and when I returned this summer, I never wanted to leave again. The time came to move away for school to start, and I found myself crying, longing to stay home. As the months have gone by, the longing has not gone away. And the work is hard. And I am busier than ever. And I constantly question if I'm making the wrong choice.... But after re-reading the story of Jericho, I just couldn't stop thinking -- just because it's hard, doesn't mean it's not what you're supposed to be doing. I think we so often believe that once we are doing what God has called us to, what we were made to do, things will just fall into place. It will be like an awakening, where things suddenly come easier, and you're feeling blessed every day, and it all makes sense. But as we see in this story, throughout the bible, and just in reality, that's not usually how God works. He calls us to do hard things. He calls us to go beyond our comfort zones, push ourselves to the limits, work tirelessly in His name, all the while trusting that He will provide, knowing we can rest in His grace and promises. So today I ask you, what Jericho has the Lord called you to? And if you're being honest with yourself, are you responding in faithfulness?
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AuthorHello! I'm Becca -humanitarian, caffeine addict, lover of books, people, and all things Jesus. You can find me in my pajamas, day dreaming about rainy days and saving the world. Archives
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