Like Grasshoppers

"So they brought to the Israelites an unfavorable report of the land they had spied out, saying, 'The land we have gone through as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people that we saw in it are of great size. There we saw the Nephilim... and to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."

(Numbers 13:32-33)

God has led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt... through the wilderness... and they're poised to enter the land that GOD PROMISED THEM. Moses sent out 12 spies - leaders from each of the 12 tribes. They were to spend 40 days surveying the land... then come back with a report. They did just that - even bringing with them some of the fruit of the land! But the majority of the people who went felt overwhelmed by the impending endeavor. "The people are too strong. The towns are too fortified. There are BIG OBSTACLES ahead! We can't do it!"

Caleb, however, from the tribe of Issachar, disagreed. "Let's do it! We can overcome those obstacles!" The others didn't agree. In fact, they were quite intimidated about the proposal. Then they changed their original report to add that "the land devours its inhabitants" (interesting point, given the fact they saw people flourishing with plenty!). AND... (here's the real crux of the matter)... "to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them." Wow. Literally, "We felt so insignificant & helpless there." Double wow.

I do not think it's a coincidence that this scripture reading comes the day before our Administrative Council reviews the report of the steering committee that's been "surveying the landscape" of our satellite ministry proposal. It's an opportunity that I truly believe God has been preparing us for, as a church, over the past 3+ years. As we near the "border" of the "Promised Land" some folks seem to be overwhelmed by the challenges that lie ahead. "It'll cost too much. We don't have enough people willing to help. The plan is not clear. It's too uncertain. Many have failed in the past."

Yes, there will be challenges. But I believe (and so do many others) that God has indeed given us this amazing opportunity. The question is, will we allow ourselves to feel like grasshoppers - insignificant & unprepared against the daunting challenges that lie ahead? Or will we move ahead with bold faith, trusting where we feel God leading us?

(By the way, the general population of Israel listened to the majority (the "grasshoppers") and hesitated. God saw fit to not only remove all of them from leadership... but wait for 40 years until they all died off, before taking Caleb & the younger generation into the Promised Land. Which was God's call in the first place.)

I pray this church doesn't have to wait 40 years to begin what God's calling us to do today.