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The Israelites often get a bad reputation in the Bible for their struggle to move with God from one place to another. But think about it—what if your entire family lineage spent 400 years in slavery, only for a stranger sent by an unfamiliar God to lead you to a "Promised Land" you’ve never seen? All you’ve known is labor, sweat, and hardship.
To make things worse, you’d expect that after mustering the courage to leave the comfort of the bondage you’ve known for so long, life would get easier. Instead, it gets harder. You find yourself wandering in strange lands, getting bitten by snakes, and eating the same food day after day. Where’s the steak and potatoes? Seriously.
I’m not too hard on the Israelites because I understand what it’s like to be in transition—to follow God from one place to the next without answers, clarity, or stability. Unless you’ve been in that kind of place, it’s hard to judge the Israelites for their choices.
They experienced "faith fatigue," trying to follow a God who undoubtedly loved them but tested their humanity by stretching their faith.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve gotten more in touch with my “Inner Israelite.” After getting saved, God began stripping away the things that brought me comfort, leading me into situations that repeatedly tested my faith. There were times when I wanted to walk away from God and everything else.
If we go through life believing that walking with God means avoiding hardships and struggles, then when life contradicts the praises we sing, we may feel like God has abandoned us.
But God never abandoned the Israelites. He loved them enough to lead them out of bondage, even though the journey was hard. He risked their anger and frustration because He knew the way He would bring them out was for their ultimate good.
God had goodness and abundance set aside for them. And He wanted to make sure they had the structural integrity to enjoy it—not just for themselves, but for future generations.
If you’re in a season of transition, whether it’s geographical, spiritual, physical, or relational, remember that while it may be painful, it’s meant to serve you well in the future.
Right now, I’m in my own transition—figuring out how I want to show up in the world. I’ve been hiding behind words, logos, and other people’s dreams and visions. I’ve shown up for others in so many spaces but haven’t shown up for myself in the same way. As the prefix “trans” indicates, it’s time to “cross over” into the next phase of showing up for myself—even if it’s not perfectly polished.
So, here’s to embracing this new season with courage, trusting that God is guiding the way—even when the path is unclear. We may not have all the answers, but together, we can keep moving forward in faith, step by step.
