Seeking Scripture Spiritual Journey Through the Wilderness: A Reflection

As I’m reflecting on the readings in Numbers chapter 33 and 34, I wonder just how our lives would read if we were to chart it out like a map route showing everywhere we have traveled. Not just the cities and towns we have lived in since birth, but also, the places of our most memorable struggles, joyous events, learning, and sorrows. What would we name these places? How would we name the place we murmured to YHVH? Maybe Meribah (Numbers 20:13)? We all started at Ramses, just as they did (Num 33:3). This is the Egypt and bondage we were under before we even knew YHVH. So, it’s safe to say we can put a flag pin here showing “Start Here”.

When we reached the mountain where we finally heard YHVH, was it Sinai, Sacramento, Dallas, Atlanta? We may have lived our whole lives in the same geographical area here on earth. They say most people stay fairly close to their hometown. Personally my family moved around every two years, kind of like the Israelites. Whether you have moved around a lot or not, you and I have definitely moved spiritually. One thing I am sure of is that after our Mount Sinai experience; none of us are the same as we once were (Ex 19).

I wonder what my map would look like with the terrain overlaid with little red arrows showing where I walked on this journey. Where is my Succoth for instance ( Numbers 33:5). Was it when I picked up my tent, as in “Pick up your cross and follow me”? Most likely. As a small child I made the decision to follow Jesus, not knowing what that really would mean. Following others through the ups and downs, even backtracks, trips, and falls, even times I felt HIS presence, or when it felt dry like the sand, and hot with the burning sun. What pattern will my arrows make on a path through my own personal wilderness?

Perhaps YHVH will create a map room for us, where He stores the maps for all our life’s journeys. I can picture old ones rolled up like scrolls, ones so big they can be pulled down in front of a class as our Teacher points to the most memorable spots. There might even be huge atlas books of even more. I wonder what mine would look like. I wonder how it might inter connect with so many of the brethren I’ve traveled this road with.

But for now, I am content to just sit here in Elim where there are twelve fountains of water, and seventy palm trees (Ex 15:27). Oh, what an oasis in the wilderness! There is fruit from the trees, cool clear water to drink, and shade to rest my weary soul in as a gentle breeze blows by.

Join me in pondering this for a minute, let’s just soak up the goodness of YHVH.

YHVH, we pray that you prepare us for the rest of our journey, we trust you, and will follow you to our promised land.