We travel to unexplored places with expectations. As leaders, we anticipate what the next season or a new adventure may look like. However, the experience may unfold with a different view than our preconceived mental picture.
In May 2015, I had the opportunity to join other leaders from the church I serve for two weeks of study in Israel. This hiking tour provided over 80 trail miles across the land. I had some ideas about what the area would look like (and I have watched and facilitated many of the Ray Vander Laan studies). Yet, I was surprised by what I saw. I can only imagine the experience of the Israelites 3500 years ago upon entering the “Promised Land.”
After leaving the oppressive slavery of Egypt and wandering for 40 years in an uninhabitable desert, the people finally crossed the Jordan. Here is a description of given by their leader, Joshua: “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.” (Numbers 14:7-8,ESV)
The expectations of the people were high. Their former leader had also described the land. Moses explained, “But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the Lord your God cares for.” (Deuteronomy 11:11-12, ESV) But I can only imagine the surprise when they discovered that the land looks more like this:
Jericho, their first stop, is in the midst of the Judean desert. As they continued traveling West, they passed over hills and valleys, expecting an oasis. What did they find? Water? No. Trees for shade? No. Lush pastures for livestock grazing? Nope. Hills and valleys of filled with rocks and inedible bushes? Unlimited. Were the forty years of wandering worth the trek? Were the people better off enslaved in Egypt?
Today, God sends us into places physically and spiritually that we may have not have expected. We enter into new seasons with high hopes of green grass. We think that the next adventure in ministry or the newest program will supply an unlimited source of refreshing water. We develop new ministry teams with expectations that this group will change the disciple-making world. The road, however, may not be easy. Often God’s plan is different than our ideas.
God teaches us in many ways. Sometimes He provides fun and exciting experiences that exceed our expectations. Others times (and I would say most often), God uses difficult experiences to teach us. When we travel through a “desert,” when our ideas and plans differ from reality, we have two options. Trust God to take us through it or become bitter and grumble.
Christ-following leaders help others navigate the desert, the oasis, the season of life-giving rain, and the extreme heat. Instead of projecting the Christian life to be easy, we should walk alongside others in the hardship and unexpected circumstances. We should help people embrace the journey of hills and valleys as opportunities to grow in faith.
I met many Israeli citizens on our trip to their land. Hardship has made them stronger and focused. As leaders we can see God in the midst of the desert and we can lead others to know His strength and provision in every place He takes us.
Shepherding Well 