“Therefore keep the commandments of the Lord your God, by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land… Deuteronomy 8:6-7a
My young children will always ask when driving on a long trip, “When will we get there?” I’m sure many of you can relate! The context of this passage from Deuteronomy is the Israelite’s 40-year journey in the wilderness towards the promised land. Wilderness walking, while full of natural beauty and wonder, can also be an unknowing and unnerving time. And in this case, an entire nation is asking when they will get there.
It has been said that our United Methodist Church is in the midst of a wilderness walk. The story of the Exodus tells us that God uses wilderness walking to build trust and grow faith. As we move into Annual Conference this year, may we believe that amidst this wilderness we are in, God indeed is walking with and leading us.
Prayer: O Great Wilderness Walker, help us to trust in you for you are not only the source of life but its destination as well. Give us the courage to face our own wildernesses with confident steps in the midst of uncertainty. Amen.
Daily Practice: Take a deliberate walk for a few moments. Be mindful of each step. Notice the ground on your feet, the sounds around you, the chill of the air and the warmth of the sun. As you let your mind quiet down, what is God saying to you?
__________
Devotional written by the Rev. David Nieda. Nieda serves the Vancouver District of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference as District Superintendent.
Image Credit: Flickr User Jonathan Kos-Read
my lil brother jim could only get the concept of time by our saying. one howdy doody, or rwo howdy dodts.
jim turns 65 today and measures his time in harley davidson hours on his hog! happy birthday jim!