But it’s Okay here!

March 15, 2009

Today's Reading: Numbers 31-32 and Acts 25

I’m not certain when it ends. When I say “it”, I mean that constant state of discomfort that we always have, always longing for more. There are times where I wish that I had a million dollars, but I know that won’t be enough. Soon, I’ll want a billion dollars. And then, what’s next, the trillion?

If there is one thing I know about life, it’s that we always want more, and yet we want to rest at the same time. This dilemma was faced by some of the Israelites when they began to notice that the lands on their side of the Jordan were just as good as the ones in the Promised Land on the opposite side of the river.

So, these Reubenites and Gadites started some fields for their livestock. In other words, it looked like they were making to stay. Moses was pretty ticked when he heard about this. He pretty much tells them that he reminded them of the curse they were all under.

Eventually, an agreement was made saying that after the land has been taken, the men would come back and settle. That was probably the best they were going to here, I’m sure.

I don’t blame the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manassah for wanting to settle. It’s not easy to be Nomadic. Especially when you are always going somewhere, but yet not going anywhere.

I suppose it is good that we want to settle. After all, if we want a family, then we want to give our kids some stability. The idea that they can sleep in their own bed, and other things that we call home.

However, this wasn’t how Jesus lived. He went from place to place, and never really “settled down” so to speak. Even after he was crucified , he didn’t just check into some hotel penthouse for his post-crucifixion stay. Honestly, that’s how I would spend it, because I think I had “deserved” it.

So when is it permitted for us to settle? I guess there is a time to go, and a time to stay. Part of it is learning to follow the cloud or the fire. It’s difficult to know that. I suppose a lot of it is trying to figure out which way God is pointing.

Still, we do live like nomads. In other words, I suppose that we are always in motion, but sometimes we go slower than other times.

I guess when we get to heaven we’ll rest. I’m guessing probably not, or we end up like a bored kid on summer vacation. In other words, we’ll probably have things to do in heaven, but the only difference between now and thereafter is that we will have an eternity to do it.