Friday, February 27, 2009

Moving on...

I am not one that has moved around a lot.... I lived with my parents in the same house of my childhood until the day I got married. My honey and I then lived in the same place for 19 years. In December of 2006, we picked up only the things that we needed and moved a whole 4 minutes down the road. When I tell you that we only took the things that we needed.... I am not kidding. We took our "current" wardrobe (not all the stuff that hangs in the closet for years without being worn), our pots, pans, dishes, small kitchen appliances, a few pictures off the wall, the toys that my children loved, and that is about it. We just left the rest behind. We owned the place... and we figured that we could go back for it if we needed it. We never did. Several months later, my husband had some family that needed a place to stay so we allowed them to move in there. They packed up the rest of our stuff and moved it outside to a storage building. I have seen their son having a recurrent yard sale for several months.... I don't go look. It is probably our stuff. If I see it, I will probably want it back.... so I have just let it go. I have completely left all that behind. For good. Never to go back.


So, I don't have a lot of experience with moving around.


For a week or so, I have been listening to some CD's of a Beth Moore conference called Spiritual Mapping. Absolutely awesome teaching. It maps out our Spiritual journey... from Egypt (our place of slavery and worldliness), to the Wilderness (not where we used to be, but not exactly where God is taking us), to our Promised Land (where we are being used of God to accomplish His purpose). I've been thinking a lot about this.


Egypt is a place of slavery... even if we don't realize it. Sometimes it seems like home, because it is all that we have ever known. But we are slaves there. It is where we live for ourselves. We do what we want to do.... and we think that it is a place of freedom... but it really isn't. Again, we are slaves there. I know that I don't want to live there. I want to be free. So, Egypt is not the address that I want.


The Wilderness is outside of the slavery. At first mention... the wilderness doesn't sound like a good place to be. It makes me think of a desert, dry, miserable place. But wait... think about it... this is where the Israelites saw God in the cloud by day and saw Him in the fiery pillar by night. There was evidence that proved He was close to them at all times. They were fed manna straight from heaven. They saw His provisions day after day. They saw miracle after miracle. Their sandals and clothes never wore out. (mine would have just gotten too small.... sigh) HE was their wonder. Now... with all that, it almost sounds like a good place to be. But we have to remember.... this is still not the place that God wants to take us. HE has something so much better for us.


The Promised Land is where God wants us to live. It is the place that He designed specifically for us. It is a place where WE are being used by HIM to bear much fruit. We will be the wonder there. We will be the blessing. God will work through us to accomplish His purpose. It is a place that bears much fruit. It is where He wants us to be. Where He wants us to be.... being what He wants us to be.


The Israelites lived in the wilderness for a long time!! Many died in the wilderness. Oh Father... I don't want to die in the wilderness. I want to make it to the Promised Land.... not only make it there... but stay there. I want to be all that you want me to be...


I don't think that I am finished thinking about this. I think that it is going to roll around in my head for a while. Where am I living?? Where are you living?? I know where I want to be... and I may have lots of packing to do.


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8 comments:

Laura said...

These cds sound wonderful, Lynn. Did you get them through Lifeway? Sounds like an investment I would not regret making. Beth is such an amazing teacher. I guess I was unaware she had audio cds!

I understand about the stuff. So many times I wish I could pick up, leave all the "stuff" behind and start over! You are a wise lady to not look back!!

Paula V said...

Is it that you have a lot of packing to do or could it be we have a lot of unpacking to do. Unpack the baggage, the pain, the struggles, the negative things that keep us from walking lightly, freely, joyfully right into His promise land. Something to ponder...not to change your beautiful post but maybe to add to it. I know I've got a lot of unpacking of stuff I needlessly carry.

Love this comment of yours:
"WHERE He wants us to be.... being WHAT He wants us to be."
Love,
Paula

Libby said...

I think we have to pack them away forever....not unpack. If you unpack something, it is staying with you, you plan on keeping it around. But there are many things I know in my past that I have kept around that needs to be packed away and shipped somewhere else...not in my house anymore.
Just a thought...love to u, and thanks again for the cds. :)

Anonymous said...

Lynn-
We have to move on, don't we. What do we prosper if we stand still? We really do not prosper anything by living in the past, in that sea of bondage. We need to not forget from where we came, because it all is part of how we got to where we are, but we don't have to carry it with us everywhere we go. We need to lay it all out before the LORD and show him what we carry in our bags-if it's not needed he will let us know and then, we can just lay it at his feet and HE WILL dispose of it for me and you.

OOOOOH-isn't it so wonderful, Beth has a talent from Heaven above to make you think, to bring it down to a personal level, to allow you to see it so CLEARLY in your own life. God is great! HE is my ALL!

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

You just blessed me so much Sweet Girl!!

You are teaching the WORD!! I love it and your heart!

Love and prayers,
Teri

Anonymous said...

Lynn
Can I hold up on mailing out some more "stuff"...I'm going to borrow a couple of the lessons...Just let me know...Love ya
Tess
:)

Libby said...

I have been on facebook alot lately reconnecting with old friends....which in turn brings up old memories....I have been tearing myself up over some of my past. God very plainly told me on Sunday morning that He has already forgiven me for my past, so I had to do the same. To leave it behind me and walk forward in the steps His has planned for me.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Sounds like an awesome teaching! I've seen it before on her website, but never indulged. Perhaps this summer. I think I facilate amongst the three at different seasons in my life. Sometimes all in the same day!

Hope all is well for you and your family. God's peace and rest to you this night.

~elaine