Deuteronomy

“The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying,
“You have stayed long enough at this mountain.”
– Deuteronomy 1:6

There are many significant verses in this Book, which is all about the covenant between God and the people, but this verse in the opening chapter tugged at my heart.
And it didn’t let go.

The work of this place is done. The people were grounded.
They received the Law and had some lived experience in making it work.
They built a tabernacle, that movable meeting place.
They numbered the people, which means they worked on identity issues.
They sorted out gifts, and appointed leaders.

And now, it’s time to resume the journey.
It’s time to leave the mountain.
They’ve have stayed here long enough.
It’s time to move on.

Out of the comfort zone, into the unknown.
Out of the ordinary, to face the undreamed-of.
Out of the familiar, now to be daring.
Shake of your habits, go deeper in faith.

Is there a “mountain” in your life where you’ve stayed long enough—something familiar, comfortable, or safe that may now be asking you to move on, move deeper, or move over?

What is the mountain that sheltered you well, and readied your heart to make your move possible?

You might want to draw a mountain and a path leading from it. Where might God be nudging you toward the “next faithful step,” even if you cannot yet see the whole path?