Where The Rubber Meets The Road
I proclaimed a fast there beside the Ahava Canal, a fast to humble ourselves before our God and pray for wise guidance for our journey-all our people and possessions. I was embarrassed to ask the king for a cavalry bodyguard to protect us from bandits on the road. We had just told the king, “Our God lovingly looks after all those who seek him, but turns away in disgust from those who leave him.” So we fasted and prayed about these concerns. And he listened. (Ezra 8:21-23 MSG)
I don’t think there is anyone who has walked the faith journey for any length of time that doesn’t relate with Ezra’s dilemma. Of course none of us have had to walk through desert lands filled with thieves and murderers with piles of gold strapped to our backs, but all of us have something valuable we are responsible to care for in a danger-filled world. Here was Ezra with all the confirmation and provision from His King to leave Babylon and begin the restoration of Jerusalem. Between the safety of the Kings guards and the ruins of the Holy City was a vast wasteland of possible terrors. Isn’t that how it usually is. God directs, He confirms, He provides, but there always comes a point where the rubber meets the road and we have to take that step of faith and put one foot in front of the other even though all the blanks have not been filled in. Ezra had proclaimed with great boldness how to the King how God cares for His own, but now he had decide if he truly believed that. I love his response to the fears in his path- fast and pray. Don’t run backwards in panic or forwards in foolish recklessness, stop right where you and get Gods guidance on the journey ahead. Surely, if He has led you this far He has a strategy for carrying you through what lies ahead. In Ezra’s case it was simple brilliance. Rather then having big piles of gold on a cart for any desert marauder to see, divide all of the treasure into small piles that are hidden on the backs of each of the priests. Very often God’s solution for moving forward in His plans will involve wisdom, creativity, and a strong reliance upon others. Who’s going to protect the priestly treasure? Everyone. Who’s going to bear the burden of responsibility? Everyone. Now that sounds like a beautiful way to do ministry, family, life- together. In this case as in many instances in our lives, the rubber meets the road at the intersections of faith and fear, possibilities and panic, direction and desperation.
Lord, this morning I am standing in this place that Ezra stood. Not running forward, not running away, but standing in You and waiting for Your creative directives. I am surrounded with the valuable treasures of my family, my church family, and my fellow ministers. There are some pretty massive challenges in front of us. We have been faithfully proclaiming to believer and non-believer alike that You cover those who belong to You. You have confirmed Your leading, provided miraculously time and again, and yet we stand face to face with pretty intimidating stretches of wilderness ahead. Give us Your creative ideas on how we can continue to call others to share the burden with us so that we do not bear it alone. I thank You for the privilege of being alive at this time in History when You are preparing to pour out Your Spirit in a new an fresh way- restoring the Holy places in each of our lives. Your Hand is upon us oh God. Keep me from going in any direction that would cause You to remove Your Hand of favor from our lives.
