“In the camp they grew envious of Moses and Aaron, who was consecrated the the Lord.” (Psalm 106:16 NIV)
It is easy to grow envious of what we haven’t paid for, isn’t it?
A few months ago, I toured the garden of a master horticulturist. Row after row of raised beds stood like soldiers yielding their spoils. Beans and cucumbers and corn and squash hung heavy on vines and stalks everywhere I looked. It was easy to become desirous of the fruit of this man’s unseen labor: the results were obvious and plentiful. What I could not see were the untold hours he had spent mapping out the plot of land, fencing off the field and building the beds. I didn’t witness him haul in nutrient-rich soil or pouring over the seed catalog. I hadn’t watched him plant and water and weed and cajole tender sprouts toward production all through the hot Texas summer. All I saw was the end result: fresh, organic vegetables. And of course, I was a smidge envious.
That’s exactly what happened with the Israelites. Moses and Aaron were consecrated to the Lord: they were set apart for His service. And the people were envious. They saw special favor on these men, but they could not see the sacrifice. They were oblivious to the long, hard obedience these two had exercised over decades. All they saw was the end result: consecration, and it was as attractive to them as those fresh vegetables were to me.
Years ago I sat in a book study when a woman said something along the lines of “I wish I could hear from God like Anna does.” I was taken aback. I don’t believe I possess any special gift in hearing from God. I’ve just cultivated my relationship with Him over years and years. Like my situation with the master horticulturist; this woman couldn’t see my many early hours hunched over an open bible, the tears of repentance or the intentional subtractions from my story, but those are the instances that created such intimacy. Consecration is obvious to the world, but the habits that create such deep relationship are rarely publicly witnessed.
“they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 NIV)
I don’t think I do anything particularly special, beyond responding to God in obedience, even when it’s the last thing I want to do. Over the years, I have found that the more obedient I am, the more I receive in our time together. I sincerely believe that anyone can hear from God if they’ll make the investment to discipline their heart and mind in His presence. This woman had seen the fruit of my life, but she could not see that it had taken years to cultivate. I knew that if this hungry lady set her alarm and got in the word on a consistent basis, God would begin to speak to her as well. But she wanted what we all want: consecration without concentration, closeness without concerted effort. But that’s not how it works.
See, God calls all His people to be consecrated to Him. He desires a set apart people. We can waste energy being envious of those who have been obedient OR we can spend our limited energy on being obedient ourselves.
“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 20:7 NIV)
Consecration is a personal choice. It’s a sacrifice we make over and over again, as the days and years tick by. Like the harvest from the garden, long obedience ultimately yields wondrous results.
Lord, let us live consecrated rather than envious. May we be motivated by the consecrated people in our story, not covetous. Teach us to cultivate our own intimacy with You. Grow our discipline muscles as we say ‘yes’ to every instruction in Your word. Help us live in a way that is set apart for Your Kingdom. Amen.