Taking hold of the land

“Take hold of that life which is truly life!” This command of Paul’s reflects the taking of the land by Israel in the conquest under Joshua.  God has ‘given over’ their enemies into their hands, God has brought them to the verge, God has promised to be with them, yet he says to Joshua, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.” 

Both of these texts reflect the flow and framework of our lives today.  I’m not as old as Joshua, but I’m getting there.  God has saved me, but there is much sanctifying work that remains.  He has given me eternal life, but he commands me also to ‘take hold of that life which is truly life.’ I take this to mean, live life to the full in every way.  This is not an invitation to hedonism or personal peace and affluence—we have that invitation already from our culture.  It is a call to become who we are, to have our lives reflect in every way the reality of our eternal destiny. It is to root out stubborn remaining sin patterns, hiding in the corner of the land, and destroy them.  It is a call to look sin in the eye, which we may otherwise say, ‘It’s no use,’ and go to battle.  It is a call to say, ‘I’m not so set in my ways that I can no longer change, for God says we are a people who are ever changing from glory to glory.’   It is a call to the gym. To beat our bodies, as Paul says—not aimlessly, but bringing them under subjection of Christ, so that we will be ready, Christ-like, looking forward, eagerly awaiting when our Lord and Savior appears to take us to that life which is truly life. 

My first two days of paperwork and waiting in lines have been incredible.  I doubt anyone has ever said or written that of Fort Bragg in-processing.    The maze of buildings, lines, and paperwork is teaching me to be assertive, ask good questions, follow up, and not back down.  These betray one corner of my own indwelling sin that God is dealing with at this stage.  It is difficult and challenging, but exciting to shine the light on it, and go to work.

I will bring my family Saturday to join me finally at Ft Bragg.  God, give us wisdom on temporary housing, and open up base housing quickly for us to get settled and to get in healthy routines together again as a family.  God give us perfect neighbors—perfectly suited for us to encourage as believers, and to reach out to and love for those unbelievers.