Another journey is the one that takes us from who we are before we know Christ, to who His Spirit helps us to become. Like most people, I often wish God would hurry up and make me the person He is making me - the person I sometimes get a glimpse of – after all, I like that person! But I too often see just a fleeting glance, and then he is gone again.
Hebrews 11:38 says: The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
This is talking about the faithful men and women of God. I believe “wandering” about in this flesh is a crucial part of the journey (granted, a part many of us wish we could bypass). You see, we are no longer “of” this world, so of course we don’t feel like we belong… We aren’t supposed to feel like we belong!
Have you ever seen the path the Israelites took through the desert after they left Egypt? God had them wandering for 40 years! Often they didn’t know where they were going; sometimes going back to a place they had already been before; sinning and testing God; and too many times forgetting all their blessings and failing Him along the way…. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
We wander through this life looking for the Promised Land; but it is not on this earth, so why are we surprised when we don’t find it? Don't give up! Be steadfast and patient as you wander – for Hebrews 11:39-40, the very next two verses, shows that we are rewarded for our faithful wandering beyond measure:
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Notice what it says – they didn’t receive the promise on this earth – they will receive something better than that – to be made perfect with their fellow saints in eternity!
Now, will an eternity with Him not be worth the wandering through the desert of this life?