No more struggling through flood-stage waters to get to the other side; only a casual walk-thru. What once would have required more strength, more intention, and more faith has now become less of a requirement. Man has found a way to manage the crossing of the River Jordan, thereby making the trip from Egypt to Canaan and back again an easier journey. Problem is, God doesn’t mean for us to return to our Egypts. He means for us to stay with him in Canaan.
For the Israelites, a trip back to Egypt was met by a formidable barrier—the Jordan River. For us, the barriers are lessened by the bridges we’ve built. We thought we were doing everyone a favor—giving easy access to Canaan so that others might quickly make entrance into the Promised Land. But something is lost when easy access is given to Canaan. Christ is lost in the process. Man-made bridges do little to keep souls connected to the kingdom of God. Man-made bridges allow for a return trip to bondage. Only in the bridge made by Christ and his cross are we able to make the pilgrimage into freedom and stay there.
And in the cross of Jesus Christ, there is always struggle. Always strain. Always choice. Always pain. This is the way of the crucified life. Faith is forged in the Jordan. Saints are birthed in the walk toward freedom.
For the children of God, there is a difference between Egypt and Canaan. At least there should be. A noticeable change between how life used to be and how life currently lives.
In Egypt, life is less. Less freedom; less abundance; less assurance; less hope. In Canaan, life is more. More freedom; more abundance; more assurance; more hope.
In Egypt, God is dismissed from the growing season. In Canaan, God is in charge of it.
In Egypt, self reigns. In Canaan, God rains.
In Egypt, the slave master keeps watch. In Canaan, God keeps vigilance.
In Egypt, obedience is mandated. In Canaan, obedience is chosen.
In Egypt, love for God is half-hearted, half-focused. In Canaan, love for God is whole-hearted, singularly focused.
In Egypt, there is stale bread and bitter wine. In Canaan, fresh bread and new wine.
In Egypt, the ground is hard, void of color and flavor. In Canaan, the grass is growing and green.
In Egypt, the view is horizontal. In Canaan, the view goes vertical.
In Egypt, the landscape is fixed. In Canaan, the landscape is limitless.
In Egypt, man possesses man. In Canaan, man possesses the kingdom of God.
Indeed, there is a difference between life in Egypt and life in Canaan. For the children of God, the contrast should be obvious, our choice of residency all the more. All too often, though, we’re tempted to access the bridges we’ve built between the two countries. A walk backward to Egypt (back to the captivity of our once bitter complaint) takes less energy these days, less intention than it did for our spiritual ancestors. It only takes a moment to return there. A single decision for less. None of us are exempt. Our flesh keeps us tethered to that one possibility. Until we drop this covering that holds our inward parts together, we’ll always have access to Egypt.
Time to burn some bridges, friends. Time to make it harder for our hearts to go backward. Time to, instead, live in the freedom that is ours as children of God. Time to saturate our lives with kingdom words, kingdom songs, kingdom walks, and kingdom company until the bridges back to our yesterdays fall prey to the waters of the Jordan and no longer serve as a convenient catalyst to captivity.
Where are you living today? In Canaan, in Egypt? On the bridge in between?
Do what you have to do to stay with God. God is in Canaan. Do what you have to do to get there. Do what you have to do to stay there, and make sure to burn any bridges that would allow you to leave there.
My match is lit. My heart resolved. My faith most certain. It is good to keep company with the King in Canaan. As always…
Peace for the journey,
elaine
What a beautiful post this is, so meaty, so full of depth… and so timely for me.
I am at that place where I am not satisfied with shallow faith. Yes, like you I have crossed the Jordan and there is no turning back.
Praise God for the words He has spoken through you to me today, Elaine. More confirmation… and affirmation that I am on the right track. Not easy. Never was it meant to be…
Love
Lidia
Thank you, Elaine. My heart really needed to hear these words today.
God Bless,
Amy
Wonderful post!! Your words always bless me.
I think I'm in a great company of God's Children on the way to Canaan. Based on your most vivid and detailed description, I confess that I'm not quite there in flesh and blood experience. In some ways, I wonder if "flesh and blood" isn't the bridge, and I'm very much on it still.
There are throngs ahead of me; throngs behind me. We move as one-yet individually–on this bridge. I'm SO ready to be there! For faith to be sight.
Meanwhile, with you and "the throngs" I'll "saturate my life with kingdom words, kingdom songs, kingdom walks, and kingdom company". (I ♥ those words…and YOU!)
So thought provoking today Elaine! I'm facilitating Priscilla Shrier's "One in a Million" Bible study with a group and right now we're studying leaving Egypt and being in the wilderness. I think I might print out parts of your post and read to them in the morning during our discussion time if that's all right with you. Such a deep thought that we need to comprehend….we need to take care to not leave a "convenient" bridge leading back to Egypt!
Thank you so much for your teachings my friend!
God bless you!
Marilyn
Amen! Hope you don't mind me sharing this on my fb
Such a good word, Elaine. I couldn't help but think of the many that live ON the bridge, and in neither place. The "in-betweens" that aren't really happy in either place, though satisfied with the lukewarmness of their existence. Been there; done that!
Too, there was a time when I longed for some of my old ways. I'd peer across the Jordan to see if somewhat might wash up on this new, distance shore. Or, like Lot's wife, I turned to see what of that old life was being destroyed, thankful that I was not rendered as a stoney pillar.
Indeed, some bridges must simply be burned. Even if I could, I would have none of that old stuff today. My worst days in the Lord do not even compare to the misery of my best days without Him.
Oh, Elaine. You ALWAYS give me so much to think about – and DO. We hate to take out our "backup plan," but that is often because we lack faith, isn't it?
Burning bridges. Thank you.
"Do what you have to do to stay with God." Yes and yes — we need that determined mindset. An important exhortation, Elaine. Many blessings to you this week!
You're an expert exhorter! I love this and I was so happy to see a post from you today. It was well worth the wait! Love to you today.
I have had to burn some bridges. Problem is there were people standing on them. Not in a morbid way, but when there are those who want to keep going back to Egypt you just have to burn and move on. I truly needed this today. Thanks.
I knew when I read the Title that I was in for a dose of TRUTH to my weary soul – weary of crossing that stupid bridge again and again. Fetching me a match! Love to you, Elaine.
p.s. I have directed Readers at The White Stone to pop on over.
Feel free to do so, Marilyn. I'm blessed by your gracious consideration.
peace~elaine
Not at all, Deborah. It's time we all got busy with some matches!
These have been difficult days, Christine. Silence has been my great portion. I can't tell you how good it felt to get some words on paper. Thanks for stopping by!
Hello sweet friend! I totally agree with all of this on a spiritual level. This is also so very true on a physical level. I've been to Egypt and there is a vast difference between Israel and Egypt. As far as I'm concerned the bridge can definitely be burned. I have never felt so UNsafe in all my life. Ugh! I was so glad to cross back over the border from Egypt and set foot back on Israeli soil.
Great post!!
I have you covered in prayer!
I posted a comment this morning, but it evidently didn't post! You know about my bridges…I'm burning them all! No way do I want to go back to those.
Awesome post. Your writing is such a blessing to me!
Love and prayers…
Thanks, Christine. That means a great deal to me… more than you know! Rest well this night. I'll be over to check on you this week:)
~elaine
What's up with your posting issues? I see that you posted on the last post just fine.
Burning bridges is good! One of the worst places to be is ON the bridge… endlessly. I've done that one too… give me Canaan, today and every day!
As always, good words Elaine, and I feel sure they are coming from your own bridges and time spent in each place. Our journeys are where we learn these truths, the school of life.
Love you!
Oh sweet and precious friend….tears. You must know how this is wrestling with my heart. I shared this thought so recently with you: "we can’t fill our minds with 'Egypt'…we need to dwell on the promises of 'Canaan'. Hebrews 11:15 says, 'If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country…' Am I longing for God and more of Him? I can’t just say goodbye externally, while my heart remains attached to my idol. I can't keep my mind focused on the ' old country'."
Elaine, I am going to copy and print this out. I'm going to re-read it daily until my feet remain planted on 'Canaan' soil. The struggle is so much harder than I thought it would be. I'm taking practical steps to keep myself out of 'Egypt', but I keep thinking of the 'country' I have left…not because I want to return, but a genuine heart concern for one who has remained behind and doesn't seem to share a longing for 'Canaan'.
Thank you for reminding my heart today not to look back, but to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Completer of my faith.
This song comes to mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-X0m4rxHVw Oh Lord, help me be here to stay…take my hand…
Love you my friend,
Joy
Good morning! Don't know how I missed this yesterday…I was excited to see a new post from you….this was soo good! Such deep thoughts and truths written here. I spent WAY too much of my life on that bridge. But no more….I have crossed over and burned it behind me. I never want to go back. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day sweet Elaine! HUGS
It's so funny. I'm mulling over in my mind the idea of leaving "Egypt" behind. We have a wonderful "Canaan" before us. We must walk in it because that is where our Lord is.
Elaine – Thank you! Especially when I mentor, sometimes I do just want to have others walk across a bridge that I could build for them… but the harder and more life-lasting work is having them cross it on their own with God by their side. "We thought we were doing everyone a favor—giving easy access to Canaan so that others might quickly make entrance into the Promised Land. But something is lost when easy access is given to Canaan. Christ is lost in the process. Man-made bridges do little to keep souls connected to the kingdom of God."
I figured it out…I forgot that you have the word verification on comments now. I commented and hit publish, then closed out the screen before the WV popped up.
OK. So I see there ISN'T a great company with me 🙂 I'm kind of alone on the bridge of "flesh and blood". It's not that I have intentions of turning back. It's just that I am NOT "there" yet. Looks like many, many of you have figured out much faster than me how to get across and have burned your bridge already! I'm feelin' kind of alone right now, but have to be honest.
I know and believe in the spiritual reality of Canaan and believe that I AM seated with Christ in the heavenlies per the teaching of Paul in Ephesians. However, my "bridge" continues to groan now and then with the realities of flesh and blood.
(Maybe we're not talking about the same "bridge" here. Or maybe we are.)
I'm with you, Rebecca. I think there are two Canaan's in my life. My up and coming reality of living with Jesus face-to-face and the earthly Canaan–the state of living and dwelling in the promises that God has for me in the here and now. As long as I'm living in the flesh, I'll always have the temptation to live lesser and often do. I haven't yet figured out how to completely stay in Canaan!
My flesh groans as well.
wifeforthejourney:
A timely word for me today and a reminder that as often as we might try to go back, or just day dream about going back – Egypt is not the place of God's calling. As long as there is a "bridge" there is always a temptation to go back. Thanks for reminding me to be on guard against temptation and for sticking with me on our own journey through.
So glad to have a place in the promise land!
Love,
Billy
This is really speaking to me tonight, Elaine. I think I've been pacing back and forth on that bridge :). Thanks for the match…I'm pressing on to Him.
One of your most powerpul blogs yet. Making this my prayer:
"Time to saturate our lives with kingdom words, kingdom songs, kingdom walks, and kingdom company until the bridges back to our yesterdays fall prey to the waters of the Jordan and no longer serve as a convenient catalyst to captivity".
I feel I am in Canaan with one foot on the bridge…stepping off…
Living Out Loud~Pamela
Oh I loved this post Elaine, thank you so very much, God bless you as your write these wonderful lessons in faith, have a very blessed day.