Eleven Days

“Measure twice, cut once!”

I heard this a lot growing up. My dad would tell me to make sure it’s right before you make the final cut. Do things right the first time so you don’t have to go back and start again. When I met Amond, I heard this same thing from her father. He is a general contractor. Take your time and do it right. If you don’t know something, ask for help. It’s better to do that, than to spend more time and more money starting over.

I have been married for over fourteen years now, and guess what I still hear in my head?! That’s right, “measure twice, cut once!” Every time I want to do a job quickly, the voice of my father and father-in-law chime in and give me a reminder. Slow down and do it right.

We are not only called to do the right thing, but also to do things right. Both are important as we journey through life. Especially now, as things are unclear and uncertain.

If we think we are the only ones going through a difficult time, we are mistaken. As I read scripture, I am shown many who have lived through uncertainty. One passage in Deuteronomy has stood out to me during this time, and I pray it ministers to you as well.

Deuteronomy 1:2 ““Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir.” (NLT)

Before we jump in to where I’d like to land, let’s review a few places that are referenced. Remember, to understand the words of the Bible, you must understand the world of the Bible.

Mount Sinai - this is the location the Israelites stopped at to receive instruction from God. Moses went up the mountain for forty days and returned with the Ten Commandments. This is also the location that the Israelites formed a golden calf to worship.

Kadesh - this is the last stop before entering the Promised Land. The Israelites had been here before. In Numbers 13 and 14 we see Moses sending the twelve spies into the land. They returned with a bad report and then chose not to enter.

So here we are again. Standing before the entrance to what God has for us. A journey that only takes eleven days! Did you catch that? Eleven days! This thought should sober even the greatest among us. Moses reminded the people that what took them forty years to accomplish could have taken eleven days.

Measure twice, cut once!

It didnt take take this long because of the number of people involved. It didn’t take this long because of the difficult terrain. It took this long because of the disobedience and doubt in their lives. The Israelites did not do well in the difficult times of life. They faltered in a moment that should have been victorious. They let these moments define them in a way that we still talk about to this day.

We are on an eleven day journey in 2020, and if I’m honest, it feels more like forty years! How we respond during this time could determine how you live the next several years. We cannot take lightly the moments that God gives to us. They can either define us, or refine us.

Don’t put the plans God has for your life on hold because you have walked in disobedience and doubt during this year. We are potentially standing at the gate to our Promised Land, and I for one do not want to miss out. Let’s not only do the right things, let’s also do things right this year!