My wife and I are experiencing the most unexpected coincidence. This year both our places of employment have been acquired by larger institutions. We are each reading a raft of emails about all the changes. The meetings are constant. Our workplaces are moving. I am moving out of my office this week; she will move out of her classroom at the end of the school year. Our house is filling with office overflow and everything is disordered and discombobulated.
Moving is hard. Change is hard. But you can approach it with order and faith, or you can fly by the seat of your pants and watch the anxiety increase.
Moses approached moving and change in an orderly, systematic fashion. We can learn from his example. After choosing an “advance team” to travel the Promised Land, a criss-crossing journey of some 500 miles, Moses organized a plan for them.
“And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, ‘Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain and see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many, and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad, and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land” Numbers 13:17-20.
God told Moses to send twelve men to spy out the land, Numbers 13:1-2. But Moses used his own leadership to articulate the specifics of the assignment. What were the instructions Moses gave the men?
- Go up the mountain and get an overview. Look at the big picture. “Go up into the mountain and see the land,” Numbers 13:17.
- Find out about the people: Are they strong or weak? Are they few or many?
- Find out about the land, is it good or bad?
- Find out about the cities, do the people live in tents or strong holds?
- Find out about the farms: Is the land fat or lean (does it grow healthy crops?). Are there forests?
- Be of good courage. Don’t lose heart! Keep your eyes on God! Moses told them “be of good courage” in Numbers 13:20, but I missed it the first time I typed this list. I missed it! Do you know who else missed it? Ten of the twelve spies—and their lack of courage, ultimately a lack of faith—cost the young nation forty years! Keep the faith. Be of good courage! When you are facing change, keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of the faith, Hebrews 12:2.
- Bring back some examples of the fruit.
Someone once said, “the only constant in life is change.” Change is all around us, and it is coming for you, whether you welcome it or not. And change always brings stress—sometimes challenging and fun stress, like a vacation or a meal in a new restaurant, and other times challenging and not-so-fun stress, like an audit by the IRS.
Change is hard, but you can prepare for it by tackling it with an organized plan and a bit of common sense.
“Moses decided what information was needed before the people could enter the Promised Land and he took careful steps to get that information. When you are making decisions or assuming new responsibilities, remember these two important steps. Ask yourself what you need to know about the opportunity and then obtain that knowledge. Common sense is a valuable aid in accomplishing God’s purposes.”[1]
Are you facing change? Applying for a new position? Considering a move? Preparing for a big purchase? Remember: Do your homework. MAKE A PLAN. Ask yourself what you need to know and then obtain that information. And most importantly, be of good courage. Talk to Jesus about the change. Never lose faith!
“Faithful is He who calls you and He will also bring it to pass” 1 Thessalonians 5:24.
If God is calling you to go through change, He will bring you through it. God is faithful! He will take care of you!
AΩ.
[1] Chronological Life Application Study Bible, KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, 2004, p246, note on Num. 13:17-20. (Once again, study Bible notes are an excellent source of application points.)
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