Apples of Gold

I sat in a hotel room a few years ago waiting for my daughter to return from her long day of missionary training. To pass the time I was watching “What Went Wrong” a documentary on airplane disasters. One particular crash caught my attention. A typhoon was firing up and the airport was in the process of shutting down. The pilots and ground control decided it was safe to let one last plane sneak past and they gave the go-ahead to proceed down the runway. The plane quickly picked up speed and mere seconds before lift-off the pilot noticed something on the runway. Within a second or two the terrible sound of metal being ripped open, followed closely by a tremendous explosion is heard. The plane is severed in half as a fireball rips down the aisle. Many onboard died. The investigation revealed that somehow the pilots had turned onto the wrong runway. They were cruising down a runway that was closed for construction and was littered with equipment. The pilots were headed in the right direction but they had started down the wrong approach.  

At times when we are attempting to align our lives with God’s unique design for us, we have a pretty clear direction but exactly how to get from where we are to where he is leading us is often much fuzzier. At times we find ourselves going in the right direction but using the wrong approach. 

Moses experienced this while leading the Israelites toward the Promised Land:

Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the LORD became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. And Moses said to the LORD, “Why are you treating, your servant so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, Give us meat to eat! I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” Numbers 11:10-16

Hmmm, this doesn’t sound like the Moses we see in all the movies, standing on the top of a mountain, holding up the staff and the stone tablets, his hair flowing gently in the breeze! 

Moses was doing what God had directed him to do. The whole troop was heading toward Canaan but here we find Moses overwhelmed, frustrated and at least momentarily considering hunting for a new position. 

How did Moses get here? It is quite clear that Moses had decided that the success of this mission lay squarely and solely on his shoulders. How many times do we read “I” throughout his complaint? Now before we are too hard on him for overlooking the real rescuer notice that the hoards of people were all looking to him and demanding that he fix this. 

When we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed with the calling God has put on our lives it is time for us to look carefully at our approach. Whose strength are we depending on? Whose vision are we trying to fulfill? Have our own goals and desires gone off the rails in an attempt to accomplish the things God has placed on our hearts? 

Notice how God approaches this. It is almost as if he knew Moses would have been better off counting to 10 before spouting off his aggravation and he doesn’t rebuke him but rather jumps straight to the solution.

Then the LORD said to Moses, Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. Bring them to the Tabernacle to stand there with you. I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone. Numbers 11:16-17

So God’s reply was Moses, let’s get you some help. Our God is so merciful and compassionate in his dealings with us. He understands our weakness and when we are struggling he doesn’t stand in condemnation but rather offers a gentle reminder that we might be headed in the right direction but taking the wrong approach:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, an you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11:28-30