In his book Seize the Day, Danny Cox, a former jet pilot turned business leader, explained why pilots needed a new ejection system. In the former system, when pilots initiated ejection, all they needed to do was clear the plane and roll forward out of the seat. During testing, however, the pilots wouldn’t let go of the seat during the process. The engineers came up with a solution. Two seconds after ejection commenced, an electronic take-up reel would immediately take up the slack and force the pilot forward out of his seat—freeing the parachute.
Just as pilots need to be forced out of their seats, God had to move Moses and the people of Israel from Mt. Sinai. After almost a year at the mountain (Exodus 19:1; Numbers 10:11-12), it’s likely they had become a bit comfortable there. God commanded Moses to break camp and move on (Deuteronomy 1:7). They would take the shortest and straightest route, and the path wasn’t going to be easy.
It was time to enter the land of those who were considered skilled and feared warriors—risking the lives of all as they followed God’s will. Though this would be dangerous, it was all part of God’s perfect plan. It was time For Moses to break camp and move on and lead His people into “the land the LORD swore to give to [his] ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants” (Deuteronomy 1:8).
It’s so easy to hold on to our seats and become comfortable where we are. That’s when God has to force us out of them, cause us to break camp, and move us to the future He has for us. He calls us to leave the comfortable, be open to change, take faith steps, and trust Him in the face of the unknown.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 13:1-19
More:
Read Acts 8:1-3, and see how God allowed His people to be moved.
Next:
Besides His Word, what else does God use to get us to move from where we are to where He wants us to go? From what comfortable place is God calling you right now?
LCC on April 7, 2014 at 6:00 am
I find this topic of moving on interesting. The question is how do we know it is time to move on? Or are we moving on because we are trying to flee from a problem? Comments?
fallenone on April 7, 2014 at 8:21 am
LCC:
I agree. How do we know what the will of God truly is? There is a great Third Day song, Revelation, that gives us an answer. Prayer. Specifically praying for discernment and guidance. Once we realize we don’t have the answers and can’t do this on our own, we draw closer to God and we resume the relationship that we were born for. In that relationship His will is appearant and our selfish desires fade away.
Is it easy to “let go and let God”? No. As we are transformed in our daily walk, it does become easier to “discern” where our will is conflicting with our Lord’s.
marvin williams on April 7, 2014 at 12:18 pm
LCC, this is a great question. As has been already stated, prayer, God’s word, nudges and promptings from the Holy Spirit, and church community, are ways that God uses to get us out of our chairs. When God wanted me to break camp and move on, he gave me markers and indicators. These came through earnestly seeking him and being open to his answers. Lastly, it takes faith to move on – a settled confidence in God’s plan for your life. Thanks for a great question.
Tom Felten on April 7, 2014 at 9:45 am
Good thoughts LCC and fallen one. Prayer has also been a huge help to me over the years as I’ve made decisions. Some other resources God has given us include His Word (the wisdom within it), His Church (other believers who provide godly counsel), and the circumstances He allows (providing helpful “nudges” or “stop signs”).
marvin williams on April 7, 2014 at 12:21 pm
Tom, these are spot on. These have been ways God has pushed me out of my chair. Also, like with the early church being pushed out of Jerusalem, God has used pain to push me out of my chair.
jowend on April 7, 2014 at 9:56 am
That’s why God forces us from the Chair, speaking as one who has been forced from many chairs.
marvin williams on April 7, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Jowend, God has pushed you and me from many chairs. Each time it required a greater level of trusting God. Looking back, I can see his hand with each push. Thanks for giving voice to this post.
Tom Felten on April 7, 2014 at 11:03 am
Me too, jowend!
raya00072717 on April 7, 2014 at 11:45 am
Hello everyone,
I had a talk with a friend last night about allowing God to make us move (job, relationship and life). It can be so hard as a Christian to let go and let God but we just need to have faith since He will take care of us no matter what. Especially when you see none Christian people making the moves right before your eyes. Thanks for the message Marvin I def relate and hope that God can help us move where we need to go!
marvin williams on April 7, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Raya, thanks for adding your voice here. It does take faith, believing that God knows what is best for us and that he really does have a plan for us. Keep encouraging your friend.
marvin williams on April 7, 2014 at 12:29 pm
There is a great book that has been helpful to our ministry teams here at Trinity – Pursuing God’s Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton.