Gratitude

I was reading the Exodus story and the whole picture of complaining against God struck a fresh note with me. How easy to be negative and worried. How easy to allow one's spirit to gravitate toward complaining. The Israelites seemed to specialize in complaining while on the journey to the promised land. What they failed to see was that where they were, was not where God was planning on them to be. God was leading them into the promised land, but there was a journey to make through some treacherous territory before arriving in the land flowing with milk and honey. Where they were was not the final destination. It was not to be their dwelling place. It was a place of passage that demanded trust in the Lord and faith in His leadership. It was a part of the picture that demanded vision beyond the moment and the hardships that were being encountered. Too often in life complaining is prompted when we forget this is not the place Christ has prepared. We are on the journey and must continue to move forward to take hold of the promised land of the Lord. Paul and Silas in jail were able to sing praises because they realized it wasn't their final destination, it was a place of passage. As we are 'passing through' let us guard against complaining and develop a dispostion of gratitude. In everything give thanks for this is God's will ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18).