Photo by Federico Respini on Unsplash
Sometimes we don’t realize how connected we are to the land. The generations before us that carved their way, worked with blood and sweat to make a living. We became the beneficiaries of all of their hard work. God provided enough to make our families stay. Or sometimes the lack of provision gave them a reason to move to another place that held more promise. Eventually, we arrived in a community that would become home.
Covenant Fulfillment — “Then the Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.’” (Exodus 3:7-8a ESV) What do I think freedom and abundance look like?
Faith Journey — “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.’” (Genesis 12:1-2 ESV) What journey is calling me that will force me to leave something behind?
True Sabbath — “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:8-10 ESV) Home is an opportunity for rest, what may be keeping me from entering that rest?
Future Vision — “By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:9-10 ESV) What future hope can I move forward toward, even when I feel like a stranger?
Spiritual Move: Today, find some way to connect with the land. Planting, watering, tending the soil. You could take your shoes off and stand in the grass for a few minutes. Let it remind you where you have come from.