"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11.28
You have to choose your baggage wisely in the desert. Needless to say one has to learn to "travel light." Yet I anticipate this is prone to glamourization. For only a fool enters the desert with nothing. You're likely to die out there as it is. Isn't it plausable that we take something? The Israelites as I recall did not leave "empty-handed." They left tracks only too easy for Pharoah to follow. The ruts must have left deep scars in the earth as they took off with all of Egypt's bounty. So much for traveling light. Not that I'm criticizing them mind you. I've read the end of the story, that God had a use for all that booty.
I anticipate, that is not the burden that would leave the deepest scars upon the desert surface. It is the burden of the soul. Like some rock you started to extract from the backyard only to discover that its depth had no end. It just goes deeper and deeper, until your blood, sweat and tears are inscribed on that rock and the dirt has been ground into your forehead and the grime forms long rivers from your elbow to your wrist. The creases which run in the rock are akin to the creases of your own heart till there are moments when you're not sure if your struggle is against the rock or your own soul. The weight of it all.
Th deepest ruts left in the desert are the contemplations that the "other" is better. Like Egypt, it was better; better food, better water, better housing. But slavery is never better, just easier. No I did not stutter. I think that thoughts that Egypt was better left ruts so deep in the desert that it began to bleed. Yes to answer your concern, Egypt is easier in the sense that one knows their fate; slavery...... then death. But in the desert, well that seems to be another story. At least is that not how the story reads? At least from the perspective of the Israelites. What would the next sunrise bring, but more intense heat, thirst, wandering. The weight of it all. You see it's not until you fall in love with the desert that it becomes easy. You shoulder your pack only to discover that you've learned to travel light. And how can you not? Not learn that is, for do we not have the best teacher? He carries "the weight of it all". So take a load off and walk a mile with me. Sola Fide, WHB
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Knowing your fate definitly seems easier. I've found myself saying alot this semester, "if i only knew where I am supposed to be in a year or even 5 years it would be so much easier and I could start working towards that goal." But I know that the road we have chosen to walk or the one God has chosen for us is going to have difficulties and blind corners. He also gives the promise that His yoke is easy and the burden light. So why does it alot of times seems so burdensome? Is it because we haven't fallen in love with God enough to where it becomes light? is it just like you said, "it's not until you fall in love with the desert that it becomes easy."?
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