“For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.” Joshua 5:6
Now that we’re into the third month of 2025, I have a question for you: How are you doing with your New Year resolutions? (That is, if you made some). I think I mentioned in a post some time ago that I quit making them years ago. That doesn’t mean I don’t have goals or things I aspire to, it just means I’m not married to a to-do list. Something happened recently, though, that made me reflect on dreams and our journeys . . .
I was at the sink when one of the girls made this statement: “Lady bugs sure do have sorry little lives, don’t they?”
“What?”
“I’ve been watching this lady bug and all it does is walk in the same circle.”
I turned away from the sink to find all four of us girls watching in silence as a lone lady bug made the same path on the edge of a lid on an empty container. Round and round and round.
Rachel pet it. It dropped to the handle and began its mad march there until it encountered the curve; then it stalled. She pet it and it began again.
“Oh, for crying out loud!” I said. “Put it with the plants.”
I have heard it said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Such as our lady bug friend walking round and round.
Such as the Israelites and their 40 year journey that ought to have been an 11 day trip.
Such as me, literally crying out to the LORD, “When does circling this mountain end?!”
I had given too much power away, thinking as long as others in my life, those I’m closest to, “misbehaved”, I’d have to suffer along with them. To a certain extent, that’s true. Look at Joshua and Caleb; they weren’t in the Promised Land nor could they enter until the disbelieving, disobedient whiners passed. Yet I can follow their example.
I don’t think they disobeyed and gathered too much manna. I don’t think they overindulged on quail. I don’t think they bowed to the graven idol. I imagine they sealed their lips as the people around them complained and wavered and dropped off one by one; but they held the line, continuing to hope. They held to their faith in God. They eventually received the promise.
Like them, I can have peace in this mountain time. I can maintain my faith in God. I can walk in forgiveness, and obedience, and joy. I don’t know how the LORD rectifies the things that break our hearts or redeems time that seems forever lost, but I know that He does, and somehow He will. The things I aspire to may take a little longer, but there are plenty of places I can now begin to trod in freedom, places I couldn’t go before because I was immobilized due to pain and bitterness.
Have you, like me, like Caleb and Joshua, found yourself yearning for advancement but feel somewhat oppressed due to circumstances out of your control? Then join me in giving it all to Jesus. Decide to stay forgiving and cheerful, learn to put off offense immediately so that the LORD can take you where you will let Him. We can be blessed even if those in our circles aren’t themselves conduits for blessing.
It may be a difficult adjustment, and I often return to:
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 KJV
Even if I must break though this cycle incrementally, one tweaked, disciplined thought at a time, one day at time, so be it, at least I have hope that I will get through and I will get to enter the Promised Land.
Let’s pray:
Thank You, LORD, for being a Comforter to me, for mending my broken heart, and restoring hope. Thank You, LORD, for the strength to forgive in the face of pain, to maintain joy in the moments of sorrow, to be still in peace when the tempest rages around me.
Thank You for teaching me when to be silent and when it is beneficial to speak — and to do so in love.
There’s no power like Your power. There’s no way like Your way. There’s no One like You, God, no One but You who gives beauty for ashes. May I be a healed helper, a useful vessel in Your hands, one that brings glory and honor to Your name.
Amen
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV
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