As I was reading in Numbers the other day I came across a couple of verses that I don’t ever remember noticing before. Moses, through God’s direction, had just finished instructing the Israelites on how to set up and tear down the tabernacle. They were ready to travel on. As they were about to leave, Moses had a conversation with his father-in-law’s son, Hobab. Apparently, Hobab was preparing to head back to his own home.
“Moses said to Hobab, son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite: “We’re setting out for the place the Lord promised: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”
But he replied to him. “I don’t want to go. Instead, I will go to my own land and my relatives.”
“Please don’t leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. If you come with us, whatever good the Lord does for us we will do for you.” - Numbers 10:29-32
It’s not clear from this passage what Hobab decided to do. I imagine he had his mind made up, that he went back to his family, to what was familiar and comfortable. Have you ever known anyone like that? Haven’t you ever looked at someone who had great skills, who had a lot to offer to the kingdom of God, but they just weren’t interested in using their gifting for God? Maybe they weren’t even saved. Maybe they were saved, but they just weren’t all in.
Churches are full of Hobab’s. Each week the pastor gets up and offers a challenge, a challenge to go deeper, to do more, to sacrifice greatly, but they just walk out the door, unmoved. “I don’t want to go, Instead, I will go to my own land and my relatives.” It’s too bad.
The journey is not easy. But the reward is great. When Nancy and I chose many years ago to follow, whatever the cost, to be a part of God’s great adventure, we had no idea what life would bring our way. But even now, when it would be easier to go home, I wouldn’t trade it for anything - because I know that God is in control, that He is using us right where we are. Traveling through the wilderness, unsure of what the day will bring, is hard. It wears on you. It’s tiring. But the reward is so great.
Moses promised Hobab that he would receive the same blessings that had been promised to all of Israel. He would be a part of the team, a part of the family. Hobab had valuable gifts, he had something to offer. He knew his way around the wilderness, he knew the good places to camp. Moses saw something in Hobab. But Hobab chose the easy, comfortable path. He went home.
What about you? You’ve been invited to join in the greatest adventure of all time. “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” You’ve been invited to join the team, to offer your gifts (we all have something to offer). God wants to use you to accomplish his mission. How have you responded? You are either on the team, doing your part, or you are in the stands, watching the time, looking for your chance to go back home. Have you said - verbally or by you actions - “I don’t want to go?”
“If you come with us, whatever good the Lord does for us we will do for you.” Don’t go home, don’t be left out of this amazing adventure.
3 comments:
Geoffrey, I needed to hear that this morning especially. Why do we fear so, when we know God is nudging us? We take way bigger risks or make choices in life based on very little upfront information usually and yet the God of the Universe has us covered and we shy away - crazy isn't it?
Thank you for this affirming word today.
Hmmm, a double message...not only for going where God tells a person to go, but to understand where God has lead you as a family now...all our paths in following God are not smooth..some are rocky, scary, uncomfortable...but, God won't take us to where He has not already gone...and then shows us the way through the mess that awaits us...my, but our God is so good....Garren, we want you to keep trying...we are proud of you...we are praying for you....when you are weak, He is strong...lean on Him...and press on....love, Sandy & Russ
It is difficult to step outside your comfort zone...it's kind of funny, even though we know there's no certainty by staying where we feel comfortable, we stay because we "perceive" it as "certain" and comfortable. The mission trips have been on my heart and mind since Pastor Rob sent that small video clip of the thousands fasting in Haiti. It's what prompted me to read about your trip to Ethiopia. We would like to go on a mission, but it is something definitely out of our comfort zone. Our kids are young, but we'd still like them to go if that's where we're led by God. Maybe if it's something they experience early on, they won't think of it as "uncertain or out of the comfort zone" years from now. Thanks for the post.
Hope and pray Garren's had a progressive day. He gives the rest of us hope that if there's obstacles to overcome, anything is possible with the Lord. Continuing to pray. In for the long haul, The Sisk Family
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