The Crisis Moment
Israel stands at a place all of us find ourselves at moments in time of life. They are at the edge of the Jordan River. They are prepared to enter the famed “Promised Land”. Everything in life is finally turning their way. Then they encounter the people of the land – giants according to some reports.
Will they push on…will they turn back.
If you’ve been around church at all, you know the story. They turn back. They complain. They dream of the good ole days in Egypt.
As slaves.
They came to a point of no return – the crisis moment in their story. For everyone in that generation, the story ends in the vast Middle Eastern wilderness.
Is Egypt better?
Every person on a quest for God walks through 4 spiritual milestones –
- Egypt – Slavery | Oppression
- Jordan – The Crossing Over
- Gilgal – New Beginnings | Rolling Away
- Jerusalem – High Place | Legacy
The Israelites learned a hard lesson at the Jordan River. You can be physically free, but mentally enslaved. Israel couldn’t let go of Egypt. In a odd sort of way, it was their security blanket.
Most of us have an Egypt. We have an area of life which holds us captive. We are free, but still find ourselves longing for it…when we know it is completely the wrong thing for us. It’s a sign we haven’t crossed over yet.
We still believe Egypt just might be better than the place God wants to take us.
Coming to the point of no return.
40 years later another generation of Israelites stand at the Jordan River. They are prepared to enter the same promised land, giants and all. With an awe of the unknown, they confidently step forward. As only God can, the Jordan River splits in half. This new generation of God’s people walk across on dry land.
Something interesting happens as they cross over. Egypt loses it’s hold.
Never again, do we hear the people of Israel cry for Egypt. It’s forgotten. Life is still a struggle. They still take missteps. But their perspective has shifted. Egypt is in the rearview mirror.
Have you crossed the Jordan River in your life? Have you determined to let the past go?
Kia and I struggled with this in the area of our finances. We continually looked to our business(es) to bail us out of troubles. Then God asked us to give them up. He asked us to rely fully and totally on Him. For months we fought with Him. These businesses were from Him (and they were). He couldn’t possibly be asking us to leave.
Could He?
We fought, but we eventually crossed over. Once we took those first steps, we’ve never looked back. We are thankful for what we learned in that place. We are grateful for the opportunities they afforded us. We don’t look back. It’s not our source.
Have you crossed over?
I’m guessing you are at a point of no return. You longingly are looking back to what you know is over (but want to hold on to). Will you leave it behind? Will you cross over?
There are moments in life when the waters part, but just as quickly they recede. The Jordan is standing open, but it may close at any moment. Don’t wait. Cross over.
When you do, you won’t look back. It’s a point of no return. It’s the first step to a new beginning.
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