One of life’s most fundamental pieces of wisdom is that if you don’t know where you’re going, you’re not able to prepare for the destination. Every person that is living and that has ever lived is on a spiritual journey. Jesus Christ tells us in John 4:24 that God is Spirit. God created everything that exists, and everything that exists belongs to Him. He has woven Himself in all of life, and we were created from the essence of who and what He is. We are spiritual beings with a soul, housed in a body, and God never wanted us to be ignorant of this. Our sojourn on earth is not the end, but the beginning of what God has in store. We keep trying to put a period at the end of our business here, but we need to make sure that before we do, we’re prepared for the destiny in front of us and we know a little bit about what it takes to get there.
Everyone is getting on the world-is-ending bus, but it might not be ready to leave the station. Until it is, you and I have a lot more life to live and even more things to do for the Kingdom of God. We have a mandate from heaven to move God’s agenda. If you’re busy doing what you’ve been called to do—praying, studying, meditating, loving—nothing stops you. The times demand that we are even more resourceful and creative when it comes to sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. Now, more than ever, we must lean on the closeness we share with God through the Lord Jesus Christ and press into Him like never before.
There is a temptation for us to lean into the flesh during this time of rest, and neglect to come into consciousness about the reason God has provided it. We are shutdown and shut-in so that we CAN press in; make no mistake about this. Hebrews 3:4-7(NLT) tells us, “4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God. 5 Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. 7 That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness.”
Jesus Christ is what God believes about us. He looks at you and me and sees His Son, because the Spirit of Christ dwells within our body temples. Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, and God wanted them to enter into a place of His rest. But while in the wilderness they complained, turned their backs on God, and acquiesced to fear instead of faith. This demonstrated that they weren’t prepared for the promise. Let’s be sure that we don’t do the same thing. Moses believed in God’s purpose completely, and you and I must believe in what God accomplished in Christ for us with this same level of conviction.
This earth experience is not a dress rehearsal. It’s our opportunity to prove the perfect Will of God. We are not playing the role of God’s sons and daughters, we ARE His sons and daughters, and He has called us to be beacons of light in this dark time. Our confidence in God during crisis reveals our full persuasion in our sonship and in who God has made us through our Redeemer. It shows our faith in His provision, love, and power.
Examine what the Holy Spirit said about His people who camped out in the wilderness after they were delivered from being enslaved in Egypt. In Hebrews 3:9(NLT), He said, “There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years.” Heavenly Father has delivered us in amazing ways repeatedly. He’s done so much for us and our loved ones, and we ought to be bursting with confidence. We ought to be bubbling over with rejoicing over the goodness of God. Our expectations about His power and love should be through the roof!
As believers, we know that our destination is in Christ Jesus; it is to measure up to him in every way. God has given us an impeccable start through our Lord and Savior. Our journey begins with him and it ends in him for an eternity! Let’s not set our hearts and minds on a poor finish, one racked by fear, doubt, and sadness. Heavenly Father’s mercies are new every morning. He owns our todays and tomorrows. Unbelief nullifies our faith and excludes us from what God has promised after the rest. You and I do not know all the details regarding what comes next, but He does. He’s never failed us and has always exceeded our expectations. Let’s not disqualify ourselves from the race as did many of those in the wilderness. Instead, let’s be attentive to His direction and instruction so that whatever comes next, we’re prepared.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“What Comes After the Rest” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.