The New Israelites

Day 8 of being back in Maui, and the two of us our finding it tough to get it going - you know, that whole rhythm thing again. I think we both expected this island to be some kind of magic, and that our businesses would flow and flourish. eeeehhhh....not so much. Of course, magic is for the devil, so that means that the lack of magic is a good thing. But I guess we also looked for Divine Intervention in our businesses. After all, God has hooked us up with my car and a beautiful home, great new friends, and above all, a wonderful church to in which to worship and serve Him. As if that weren't enough, there are palm and plumerias, mynahs and doves, colorful fish in abundance in warm waters, and the whales can't stop leaping for joy. hmmmmm.... Maybe I've come upon the answer. I guess God has done that much and we're looking for Him to do more - and once again, He is asking us to trust Him. There's that word, again. Trust. And Patience. egad. Neither of those are my best thing.

So, having just now come back from a walk and a prayer at the beach, I have come to realize that we are not a whole lot different from the Israelites. Granted our "wilderness" is dressed with fragrant plumerias and stately palms, all surrounded by tropical seas, and our "manna" is some of the best fresh fruit and seafood that one can imagine. But just like Moses and all of Israel, we prayed and begged God for this. And God said "yes". But like I said before, His granting prayers never comes without strings. These could be strings involving ministry, blind faith, but always about obedience. egad, again. yet another of those words that go down like cod liver oil.

In this, our adventure for which we prayed ON OUR KNEES, we find a gift that is fraught with strings. Oh, we definitely find ourselves blessed in many ways, and we find ourselves being used by God in the way He places various people in our paths to touch quickly, but we are still trying very hard to define our vision - not His. This is where trust and and patience and obedience are being totally worked out. When we were in San Diego, we got a dandy workout from our former trainer, Michelle (her gift to us. Next time I'll ask for a toaster. Just kidding, Michelle. Don't hurt me!!!) We have not had that kind of workout for some time, so it was more than a bit uncomfortable during the workout, and our muscles screamed for a day or two after. So it is true with this workout - only it is deeper and harder than any physical exercise. It is more painful because it is more important and long-lasting. It is also more necessary, since we are being prepared for Spiritual battles that take place daily. God cannot have weenie soldiers, after all.

The other disconcerting thing is that so many friends - including some of our loving Christian ones!! - answer our challenges with either "you shouldn't be there" or"this is what you wanted". Wow. A bit isolating. Isolation. The devil's favorite thing.

But we are still walking ahead, in His will. I read Leviticus 26:3-13 today. I hadn't planned on it. FloJo had walked down to the beach, as we usually do, but this time I brought binoculars and my Bible - one for seeing God's creation, the other for hearing God's voice. I was looking to reference the Israelites for my blog, and also remind myself of their time on their "adventure", when I came on this passage. God is telling the Israelites the blessings in store for them if they will but "walk in my statutes and keep my commandments" (Lev 26:3). Wow. Talk about your encouragement!

So, we will continue in this mostly-exciting-but-sometimes-scary-and-lonely adventure. Hope it doesn't take us forty years to get it right...