“You Haven’t Yet Arrived ”

Deuteronomy 12:8-9

Arrived is defined as to come to a certain point in the course of travel; reach one's destination; accomplish; flourish; prosper; make good.

Leaving an old life and entering into a new one. In it the nation of Israel learns how to walk well with their holy, delivering, providing God. The Israelites’ haven’t yet arrived in the Promised Land; they haven’t even made it through to the end of the 40 years in the wilderness. Exodus is a story of preparation as God teaches and trains them for the days ahead. That same God is at work in our life today, in our in transitions, in our relationship with Him, as we navigate an incomplete story trusting the One who leads us. Jesus spent 40 days after His resurrection preparing His disciples to spread the Good News. They were eager and excited to begin their mission, yet Jesus told them to wait. They were not to go anywhere until they received the Holy Spirit to go with them. The disciple’s focus was elsewhere; they wanted to know when Jesus would return to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. Jesus told them they shouldn’t worry about that time, but rather, wait for the Holy Spirit, whom they would need as they went forth as witnesses of all they had seen and heard. Jesus knew the disciples would fail in their own strength, and the same holds true for us. God wants us to trust Him and attend to His timing even when we think we’re ready for action.

I come by this afternoon to let you know when we believe our ways and timing are better than God’s, we miss out on the precious gift of full and abundant life lived through the power of the Holy Spirit. Embrace patience and wait on the Lord until He is ready to use you and send you forth. You haven’t arrived yet. Be bless and I love you!!! JE