“Are We There Yet?”

Deuteronomy 1:21 – Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 12:28 – Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.

Traveling is one of our little family’s favorite bonding moments. Every time my husband and I would tell our little love bug that we are going on a trip, she gets excited. It doesn’t matter whether it is a short or long one; it just makes her giddy. She would ask us to prepare her stuff and would even offer to help long before the anticipated occasion. And when the day finally arrives, her enthusiasm heightens.

While on the road, she would keep asking what the place is like, what fun activities we are going to do and other questions like that. Though she would not admit she’s grown impatient, one of the questions that she would repeatedly ask as we are on our way is,

“Mom, are we there yet?”

God’s people, the Israelites had also experienced one of the longest travel times in their history (I suppose). What could be traversed in 40 days took them 40 years. I guess most of them didn’t stop asking the same question my daughter has asked me. The Promised Land was a long way to go. It would have been a short trip though. From “Go [there] and possess!” to “Got here!” could have happened simply in less than two months, but it didn’t come about. Constantly, they grumbled and complained. They wore Moses out, God’s appointed leader to them. They made God angry. That is why, instead of bringing them straight to Canaan, the Lord repeatedly made a detour and let them wander in the wilderness.

Nevertheless, Moses never stopped telling and reminding them about God’s “road signs and warnings” so they could get to possess the land flowing with milk and honey. And when the Israelites had finally chosen to keep God’s word, obey them and “do what is good and right in the sight” of the Lord their God, in due course, they conquered the land.

Just like the Israelites, I know the Lord has given me my own promised land.

Like my daughter, I am also excited to see what it looks like, what I am going to do there or what God would have me do there. But traveling to my “land flowing with milk and honey” is not a walk in the park. Every so often I would ask the Lord, “Am I there yet?” The eagerness and anticipation to get there, from time to time, wanes. All that really matters in my myopic mind is where I am going. I’m also wondering how to get there in my seemingly perfect time and in my own selfish way. God has a different plan though.

He is not after my promised land, my destination. He is more concerned about my journey and the preparation of my heart.

The Israelites weren’t prepared to get to Canaan. Their hearts and minds were obstinate. They only knew how to complain. They were ungrateful. They always notice what they didn’t have and never looked at what they had.

In the same way I am every bit an Israelite. As thrilled as I am to claim God’s promised land to me, I know my heart still needs a little fixing here and there. There are times that I am ungrateful. I overlook the simple but meaningful blessings that God is showering me with. I tend to look at the other side of the fence thinking that it has always the greener pasture. I’m stubborn. I complained (a lot). I know I have failed Him too many times.

God however is so patient with me; sending me still His pillar of cloud and fire to guide and lead me.

God led the Israelites to the wilderness not because He could not keep His promise, but because He wanted them to keep His Word in their hearts; to wholly trust and obey Him.

Today, you may be traveling right now towards your Promised Land but it still seems so far away. “Am I there yet, Lord?” maybe our untiring question. Remember that He is not finished with you yet. He knows how to keep His word. He is bringing you where you are supposed to be. This season of wondering and wandering in the wilderness is God’s season of pruning. He is just preparing you, your heart, your whole being. Trust Him in the wilderness. And in His beautiful and appointed time, you will see the “land flowing with milk and honey” that is promised to you.