I love reading my Bible through in a year. I read the same words year after year, yes, but I see new things every time. This post stems from one of those times.
Last night I was reading in the book of Exodus, chapter 19. Verse 17 of that chapter says (NASB):
“And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.”
We see the Israelites here coming to meet with God at Mount Sinai. But something interesting happens. They come out of the camp specifically to meet with God. They stood there for days, if not weeks on end, waiting for God to speak and share His message with them. I don’t know about you, but when I stand for more than a few hours I’m ready to sit down! The Israelites stood there for weeks!
That brought me to a very interesting realization. The Israelites had to leave what was comfortable and easy to find God. God wasn’t playing hard to get. He made himself clear in the form of a cloud on the mountain. But those people had to get up off of their backsides and go and meet God.
It’s the same with us. God has not made His will hard for us to find. He hasn’t hidden what He wants for your life and ministry. It’s plain to see. We have to choose to leave our comfortable swivel chairs and go seek Him out. Without it, you’re not going to get very far. You can stay right where you are, and things will go fine. But if what you really want is to raise a generation of kids that passionately loves God, the only place you’re going to find that is by going beyond what’s comfortable for you.
This message has really hit home for me. As I’m looking forward into life and thinking about college, my career choices, and even right now how God wants me to minister to kids, I’m going to have to be uncomfortable at times. But if that’s how it’s got to be, that’s how I want it. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Remember, it’s not going to be cushy. You will make some people mad. But it’s the only way you’re going to do what He wants. That’s the way I see it.
i love “light bulb” moments!
great post evan and a great reminder!
amazing kids make amazing adults! as a youth leader, and childrens worker… i live to hear realizations like this! it’s completely awesome to see the fingerprint of God on our “kids!” it’s also so cool when the kids we minister to minister to us!
That is so good Evan. How can we show and teach children how to know God, to meet with Him, if we don’t first do that ourselves? We do need to get out of our comfort zones. God loves to use people out of their comfort zones because then it’s not our talent or ability we are leaning on but His ability and might within us. Thanks for the encouraging word.