What Worked Before
I can tell from the number of “hits” on this website that many are looking ahead and starting to plan for upcoming women’s events and retreats. We are too. So far, we have the theme, the date and the venue nailed down. We thought we had a speaker, but we are back to square one on that. Here in the planning stages, I have to admit, our retreat schedules and activities look very much the same from year to year. We alway have promise verses; we always have a quiet time study; for the past few years, we have done an interactive Bible study workshop, all of which our ladies have come to expect along with the teaching sessions.
During Bible study this spring, I felt like the Lord spoke to me from a story in the Old Testament. If you remember, in Exodus 17, the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness and there was no water for them to drink. The Lord told Moses to take his rod and strike the rock in Horeb. When he did, water came out for the people to drink. Later, in Numbers 20, Moses faced a similar situation–thirsty complaining Israelites. This time the Lord told Moses to take his rod and speak to the rock, and it would give forth water. However, Moses took the rod and struck the rock twice. Water again came out for the people. However, this was an act of unbelief and disobedience, and because of it, God punished Moses.
I have always looked at this story as willful disobedience on the part of Moses. However, I looked at the story a little differently this time. What if Moses was doing what he knew worked the first time? That doesn’t excuse his disobedience, but it does make me understand him a little better.
As we plan this year, are we falling back on schedules and activities which have worked before? Or are we seeking the Lord for His direction, being open to His changes and new things? It is something to ponder. I don’t want to fall into sin just because I was only doing what worked before. Don’t be tied to the past; don’t assume that what worked before is how God wants to work now!
