For 40 years Moses led his people away from attacks by the Egyptians and through every sort of natural disaster to be found in the dessert, all the while, trying to keep them in a right relationship with their God. Moses was more than old and he must have been totally exhausted by the end of the journey. Though Moses did not set foot into the promised land, God rewarded him for his steady allegiance and trust by taking him to the top of Mt. Nebo to show him the lush and beautiful land that had been promised to his ancestors. What a relief it would have been to know that he had succeeded in bringing God’s chosen people to the culmination of their journey; his job was done.

The account of the end of Moses’ journey from the Old Testament is a source of encouragement for me primarily as a wife, parent and grandparent but also in the many other roles that are part of my life. I certainly have no expectation nor desire to live to the age of 120, lead thousands of people safely through a dessert or be written about in one of the oldest and best known texts of all times. My point is that we all have a variety of callings from God, none of them will bring us joy at all times, nor will we execute them with perfection.  Sometimes, like Moses, we will be discouraged and frustrated. However, there is joy to be found in knowing that God is with us at all times; he will lead us if we are wiling to follow. There is even greater joy to be found when, like Moses, we come to the end of our journey and God fulfills his promise to each of us.

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God: “How tremendous are your deeds!”

Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
Bless our God, you peoples;
loudly sound his praise.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
When I appealed to him in words,
praise was on the tip of my tongue.