“Moses and assembly gathered together before the rock, and he said to them, “Listen, you rebels, shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” Numbers 13:1-13
As Moses uttered these words and struck the rock two times his fate was sealed that he was not to enter the promise land. This scripture today, is one I often struggle with, that after all Moses did to bring the slaves to freedom towards a promise land of milk and honey to honour God, alas God says, Moses because you did not give glory to me and let the people know that all is from me, you will not enter. But this is not the end of the story not for Moses or for each of us.
God allowed the people to wander the dessert to be purified in mind, body and soul. In the desert, the people forgot the bondage and slavery and kept yearning for the supposed sweet life, where they didn’t have to endure hardships and trials and had plenty of food, even thought this was not so. When we ourselves have a time of wandering, in breakup, chapters in life closed, starvation, divorce, depression, unsettledness in our workplaces, these can be times of amazing purification of the soul. We were created perfectly, but sin came into our lives so we a invited to be purified and live fully alive with vigor, purpose and most of all love for God, ourselves and others. We limit ourselves when we put our life in a cup and we think our happiness, success, purpose is all of our doing and fruition, when in reality it is God’s enduring infinite love for us. Instead of a cup we can place our lives in an ocean of wonder extraordinaire. When I struggle with this scripture, it reminds to think of the past, the present and walk boldly forward to the future in faith, believing all things as we live and breath and enjoy, are from a God who is infinite in tender mercy. Incredible.
Moses, loved God, did amazing works to honour God, and trusted God more than most of us can imagine. His love for God outweighed what most hearts could ever dream of but when the people before him doubted and starved in soul, he freely veered showing the people how holy God is. In the end God said, “Because you did not trust me, to show my holiness before the eyes of the Isrealites, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” Numbers 20:1-13 When I hear these words thoughts well up inside me whispering, no please this can’t be, let this God loving, brave soul be able to glimpse and savour the promise land, even for a short time, please God. A co-worker, once said to me, Claudia your like a helium balloon always floating and excited about things, you need someone to pull you back down. Back then, a part of me believed her, but now nothing could be farther from the truth, because now I listen to authority of the God who created me, who gave me joy in abundance to build others ups, thankfulness to fill a sea and gifts to inspire those around me. When I trust in God’s authority in me, I can hear clearer this scripture, God whispers his sweet message for me to receive as he says, trust me with all your desires, wants and purpose, and you will reach the promise land of heaven. I hear his bible message, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, as each of us is. Moses may not have entered the earthly promised land but he surely entered heaven. There will be times when earthly chapters will come to an end, when dreams come to a close for another to be born, when seasons of love and loss, growth and dying will come, health and illness, but God’s love is constant in His loving embrace regardless of sin, abilities, accomplishments, status, health, capabilities, God divinely loves us continuously and wants to purify our hearts and soul, and live fully here and someday in eternally in heaven.
God wants your steps on earth to shine in the mud, shine in the rain, shine in mundane and let it shine, shine, shine. Even if the sun may not seem to be shining, God wants us to radiate love in all seasons. If the mountain seems insurmountable, God will equip us with all we need to conquer it. If the valley seems fruitless, God will provide in us ways to tend, sow and reap for a full harvest of the heart of love. Trust in God. Trusting God in all things, when trials seem insurmountable, pressure is high and emotions too low to muster courage, for the journey forward, can challenge us, make us question and doubt but our purpose is only attainable through putting our faith and trust in God. There really is no other way. Humans are beautiful, crafty and creative they can try to come up with wide array of ideas, ways, excuses, become slothful or unwilling to do the work the heart needs, to change attitudes, build courage, work hard, be creative, pray, alter thoughts and emotions or forgive. But God invites us to trust and see him in all things in our life.
Will you give it a try? Will you place your life in God’s hands and hand it over to him and pray, attend Mass and listen to his message of authority? God wants each of us to tend our soul here on earth and achieve his purpose for each of us. God wants us to honour him in all things and love and serve him and his people. God wants us to let our steps shine, shine, shine and the tend the soil where we are planted and beyond. Challenges can nurture and heal and free a soul. It can prosper one and not live in lowliness. God is walking beside you. May your steps shine.
Peace,
Claudia
ournourishedsoul