From today’s reading...
The whole community then cried out in dismay, and the people wept all that night. Yahweh then spoke to Moses and Aaron and said: ‘How much longer am I to endure this perverse community muttering against me? I have heard what the Israelites mutter against me. Say to them, “As I live, Yahweh declares, I shall do to you what I have heard you saying. In this desert your dead bodies will fall, all you who were counted in the census, from the age of twenty years and over who have muttered against me. For forty days you reconnoitred the country. Each day will count as a year: for forty years you will bear the consequences of your guilt and learn what it means to reject me.” I, Yahweh, have spoken: this is how I swear to treat this entire perverse community united against me. In this desert, to the last man, they shall die.’” Numbers 14:1, 26-29, 34-35
Sometimes the only way to avoid stinking thinking is to wait for the stinking thinkers to die…or at least retire or quit, which is why God makes an entire generation wander and die in the desert.
He didn’t want their lack of faith, their cowardliness, their whining, and complaining ways to infect the Promised Land.
What are you afraid of today?
COVID?
More lockdowns?
More mask mandates?
Tyrannical governors, mayors, and bus drivers?
Karens at every restaurant and store?
Bruces at every office and airport?
You think God can’t pull something good out of this current government-made mess in which we allowed ourselves to become enmeshed?
You think you have it worse than the Israelites, who were slaves for 430 years, and watched their infant sons get slaughtered not once but twice?
You think, “Why do I have to struggle and suffer? Why can’t I just get my food delivered so I can Netflix and chill? Why can’t someone else do the heavy lifting for me and put themselves at risk so I can cower at home in comfort? How good can God be if He won’t allow me to continue sitting on my ass collecting unemployment and not paying my rent until all viruses are eradicated from the world?”
You think poorly, if at all, and your whining and complaining and worrying is why you feel lost in the desert that is your unproductive, wandering, worthless life.
You were created for more.
You were created to not worry.
You were created to live a fearless life.
Despite the obstacles and enemies placed in your way, you were created to...
Stay the course.
Keep the faith.
Endure.
Now go sell something.
