Surrendering the Map

 

As we journey this path toward overseas missions, twin themes have emerged (which I'm positive will be joined by many more!):  surrender and humility.  We are finding that even though God has stripped away numerous layers from our well-guarded souls, He continues to demand even more in drawing us closer to Him and the abundant life He desires for us.  Although this continual process of surrender and breaking down our false selves certainly is not easy (and often rather painful), there is no other place we would rather be than in pursuit of God.  Despite our frustrations in the midst of  growing pains, we know that this is the safest and best place for us to be.

In my last post, I wrote about surrender and humility in the context of committing our plans to the Lord and being silent before Him so that His greater plan for us can take root and overcome any limitations that we place upon ourselves or God.  An extension of this thought concerning our future time in Kenya is this:  How do we navigate this present "in between" time that our Father clearly has ordained for us?

This week, God reminded me of how He led his people out of slavery to freedom and eventually to the promised land.  Of course the exodus story presents multiple truths to instruct us on our current path-- like how God brought them out "with a mighty hand" and went ahead of them by day in a "pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light," which never "left its place in front of the people" (Exodus 13:20-22).  However, the teaching that God again brought before me is that although He fulfilled His covenant to His people, it was not accomplished by way of the easiest or shortest route because that was not part of His plan for them.  In this regard, Exodus 13:17 (NKJV) says:  "Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, 'Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.'  So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea."  This passage suggests to me that God did not lead them down the most direct or expedient path because He foresaw the potential bumps in the road and how those obstacles might cause them to return to captivity.  In other words, their fears and frustrations might overtake their purpose. So instead, He led them on a route that sounds rugged and wild and, thus, more difficult to navigate on foot or by beast.

Perhaps God ordained this trek through the vast wilderness- free from immediate conflict- as a time for them to form community and to reflect on His deliverance and provision, while simultaneously revealing to them their utter dependence on Him, all to strengthen their faith for future battles.  And conflict found them soon enough.  Reading on in this story, part of God's plan, perhaps His sole purpose, in taking them through the wilderness instead of the direct route is revealed:  to glorify Himself.  In instructing Moses to tell the Israelites to make camp in a certain location by the sea, the Lord said, "For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, 'They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.'  Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD." (Exodus 14:1-4)  Of course we know the rest of the story.  Pharaoh, his army, and 600+ chariots did pursue them, and God delivered His people once again, literally swallowing up their enemy and glorifying His name in the process.  However, in the meantime, the people still cried out against Him, questioning why He had led them into the wilderness to die, failing to trust His deliverance to come.

At this point in our journey, I don't know whether God will choose to take us the shorter route or  whether He will instead lead us through the wilderness.  But His story says that regardless of the path, He will be glorified.  Also, He will choose the route that will deliver us from ourselves, from our tendency to return to "the known," to enslavement and the abandonment of His purpose for us.  Even if we question His deliverance-- whether it will come or His methods of doing so-- His plan will be accomplished to bring glory and honor to the Lord over all.  And that is good enough.