After 37 years in the desert, the Israelites forgot that their wanderings were a result of their parents' and their own sin. They could not accept the fact that they brought their problems upon themselves, so they blamed Moses for their condition. Often our troubles result from our own disobedience or lack of faith. We cannot blame God for our sins. Until we face this reality, we will have little peace and no spiritual growth. (Numbers 20:3-5, NIV Application Notes).
Considering the increasing cost of fuel, riding this Self-Improvement Shuttle is economical. With the money I saved, I was able to buy some new outfits and accessories for my trip to the desert.
Hmmm...I think this is the first time I've actually enjoyed riding on a motor coach. The seats are clean, cozy and spacious. The temperature is comfortable. The ride is smooth. I've got WiFi access, and electrical outlets are available for me to plug in my iPhone & iPad. The sights, sounds and smells on the Self-Improvement Shuttle don't make me cringe! I may have to re-think the motto I normally adhere to: Malkia does not do public transportation! (http://www.fromhelltowin.com/2011/04/vehicle-of-compassion-part-ii.html).
Next stop, Wandering Desert.
As soon as I depart the shuttle, my tour guide greets me and hands me a backpack.
Hello Malkia, and welcome to Wandering Desert! My name is Lucy Fur, and I'll be your guide as we navigate Wandering Desert's most popular attraction--a 37-mile hike on the Memory Lane Trail. All of our visitors receive a souvenir survival kit for the hike. Inside your backpack you'll find the following items:
- 2 water canteens from Bitter Bistro. Considering the desert temperature and length of the hike, you'll want to stay hydrated;
- a coupon from Divination Department Store for 50% off your purchase of any pair of hiking boots. You'll definitely need boots to withstand the desert terrain;
- a battery operated fan from the Church of God I'm in Denial; and
- an assortment of fresh fruit from Stuck on Stupid Supermarket.
You'll also find a map of the 37-mile route in the side pouch of your backpack.
Memory Lane Trail Landmarks:
- Divination Department Store
- Bitter Bistro
- Scapegoat Spa
- Greed Gym
- Eye Candy Store
- Church of God I'm in Denial
- Bank of Financial Irresponsibility
- Hostility Clinic
- Self-Destructive Auto Dealership
- Rebel Gas Station & Inconvenience Store
- Pity Party Water Park
- Fairy Tale Estates
- Complain Country Club
- Idolatry Business Center
- Jealousy Arena
- Vengeful Gardens
- Blues Bed & Breakfast
- Whinery
- Repeat Offender Law Firm
- Stuck on Stupid Supermarket
As soon as you purchase your hiking boots, we'll begin our 37-mile journey.
God, since January, I've been gearing up to celebrate my 37th year of life. Five whole months of planning my birthday vacay to the Wandering Desert and now that I'm here, I find out Lucy Fur (aka the Devil) is my tour guide down Memory Lane Trail.
Seriously?! I have lost valuable hours of sleep over the excitement of celebrating 37!
I am H-O-T:
- I've got beads of sweat rolling down my face;
- these canteens are full of funny-tasting water;
- this battery-operated fan-on-a-rope is circulating nothing but hot air;
- I can't eat any of the fresh fruit because I'm allergic to blueberries, kiwi and oranges; and
- to top it all off, I've gotta walk 37 miles with a tour guide that's taking me to every single sinful place I've ever lingered!
Uuuuugh, this is not the celebration I envisioned...O LORD, what have I done to deserve a 37-mile reenactment of my sinful behavior?!
Life is challenging because walking down the Memory Lane Trail is an audio-visual reminder that I'm a wandering, repeat offender of sin. Yes, it's my reality that this is not my first trip to Wandering Desert. In fact, circa 19__ through 20__, my desert trips happened so regularly they became predictable. The moment I decided to do good, sin was there to trip me up. I truly delighted in Your commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joined in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebelled, and just when I least expected it, they took charge. (Romans 7:21-24, MSG).
Countless times, I thought changing locations on the Memory Lane Trail would change Your will. (Numbers 23:27, NIV Application Notes). I'd wander from the Whinery to the Rebel Gas Station & Inconvenience Store. Ignoring the advice of my sister: Eye candy gives you cavities!, I hiked all the way up to the Eye Candy Store just to trudge back down to the Blues Bed & Breakfast.
On Sundays, I'd go to worship service at the Church of God I'm in Denial, then I'd go grocery shopping at Stuck on Stupid Supermarket immediately after service.
When You answered my prayers for a salary increase as the property manager at Idolatry Business Center, I opened checking and savings accounts at the Bank of Financial Irresponsibility. Because my raise was more than substantial,
- I purchased a condo in Fairy Tale Estates, which came with a free membership at Complain Country Club;
- I bought a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Bi-Centennial Edition Convertible from Self-Destructive Auto Dealership;
- I treated myself to weekly treatments at Scapegoat Spa; and
- I got a personal trainer at Greed Gym to help me maintain my circa 1997 figure.
Unfortunately in 1998, I was involved in my first automobile accident. Considering how much I paid for my classic car, I knew I needed a top-notch attorney. Hence, I hired the senior partner at Repeat Offender Law Firm to handle my personal injury case. Due to the injuries I sustained as a result of the motor vehicle accident, I began physical therapy at Hostility Clinic. And, although I had top-notch legal representation and medical care, I often dined at Bitter Bistro because it was hassle to:
- go to court;
- setup an appointment to get an appraisal at the collision center;
- keep track of my medical expenses;
- drive a tiny car because my rental reimbursement coverage rate was $37 per day;
- keep my attorney updated on my physical therapy sessions; and
- keep my insurance claims rep updated about my automobile repairs.
God, please forgive me for all of my disobedience and faithlessness (and don't forget that I never lingered at Divination Department Store)! I repent and accept the fact that I've brought many of my problems upon myself--I know I can't blame You for my condition. Please tell me what I must do to obtain Your perfect peace. O God, show me what I must do to cultivate our relationship. (Numbers 20:3-5, NIV Application Notes).
Malkia, "you are not to go back that way again." (Deuteronomy 17:16, NIV).
Life is good because I remember the exact moments my relationship with You took pivotal turns.
- November 1, 2003: During my visit to the Pity Party Water Park, I heard You say, "Get down on your knees and pray!" From that day forward, I conversed with You every morning at 6:00am.
- June 20, 2006: I declared that I'm ready and willing to live how You are instructing me to live.
- June 25, 2006: Instead of lingering at Vengeful Gardens, I "kneeled at" Your "altar and permitted myself to release 20+ years worth of tears. ...I willfully laid my burdens down...." (http://www.fromhelltowin.com/2011/07/downpour.html).
- November 21, 2011: I stopped lingering at Jealousy Arena because You said "Be still, and know that I am God...." (Psalm 46:10, KJV). (http://www.fromhelltowin.com/2011/11/wait-for-win.html).
- December 3, 2011: I promised to make You my top priority. No people, no places and no things will distract me from strengthening my relationship with You.
Life is abundant because I've come a long way from my desert wanderings! As I celebrate 37, I'm letting You work Your will in me. I've hollered a loud no to the Devil and watched her scamper. When I sit in my closet and say a quiet yes to You, You are there in no time. I'm committed to quit dabbling in sin. I'm purifying my inner life. ...I am really serious. Every time I get down on my knees before You, O God, I know it's the only way I'll get on my feet. (James 4:7-10, MSG).
I'm ready to throw away my old way of living and move ahead into a new life of obedience to You and faith in Jesus Christ. Like the Israelites moving into the promised land, I can choose to destroy the wickedness in my life or settle down and live with it. To move in and possess my new life, to possess my wins, I understand that I must drive out my sinful thoughts and practices to make room for the new. (Numbers 33:50-53, NIV Application Notes). I'm ready to depart from sin.
I am ready to board the Self-Improvement Shuttle!
LORD, I am fully aware that Self-Improvement is a P-R-O-C-E-S-S. I know this journey will last a lifetime and I may have to revisit some destinations. Reassure me that I'm well-equipped to go through this process.
Direct me in the way I should go. (Isaiah 48:17, NIV). Lead me to the next stop on this Self-Improvement route. Reassure me that I will eventually reach the final destination of win.
I intercede for those who hesitate boarding the Self-Improvement Shuttle--Holy Spirit, please influence them to take the liberating ride.
Sovereign God, thank you for being my Teacher. I extol You for being my Master. Thank you for providing me a traveling companion in Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray...AMEN.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Being sanctified is not a setback.
Not only are you set apart, you're setup to receive God's wins.
Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. (Romans 6:6-11, MSG).
