“The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was.” – Numbers 27:12-13
What a bittersweet moment for Moses! After decades of service, leading the people of Israel out of Egypt and through the desert, he would finally get to see the Promised Land. But only from afar. He would catch a glimpse of God’s faithfulness, then pass away. This was because of a moment of pride, anger, and frustration the led him to disobey God’s instructions. A moment in which anger boiled over and rather than quietly speaking and giving all glory to God, he acted dramatically, struck the rock to bring forth water, and let the credit and glory go to himself.
To us, this may seem like a very small thing over which to lose entry into the promised land. However, pride, insecurity, frustration, anger, and the need to look “large and in charge” can easily put us in very bad situations. Attitudinally. Spiritually. Practically. For followers of Jesus, the good news is that our inheritance is secured. Not by our efforts and outcomes but by the person and work of Jesus Christ. That said, our attitude and how we handle frustrations, irritations, fear, and insecurity still matters.
For many Christians, those moments still bring out the worst in them. Challenges reveal that the “old man”, their nature from before they met Jesus, still has a great deal of influence over their mind and heart. That isn’t how it should be. Followers of Jesus are new creations called to crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit instead. The evidence that is happening is that the character of Christ comes out under stress: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. AKA the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Does it for you?
This fruit isn’t manufactured by hard work and self-discipline. It’s produced by the Holy Spirit as we walk closely with Jesus, transformed by the Spirit through the Word (read and meditating), prayer, worship, fellowship with believers, service, and sharing the Gospel. So, what comes out of you in stressful moments? Is it the Spirit or is your same old nature? If the latter, let that be a wake up call to evaluate the health of your spiritual life. Then #FollowJesus