Moving through the difficult middle
In Exodus 16 the Israelites find themselves wandering in the Desert of Sin. Here, the text says that “the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.”
“If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3)
Launching a project, movement, or mass exodus feels really good at the beginning. Ideas flow, energy sparks, and inspiration runs wild. If we work long enough though, before we enter our Promised Land, we all will inevitably make our way into the desert.
The desert is the treacherous space between the starting line and the end result. It’s where problems arise, tensions take root, and comfort ceases to exist. The far majority of our creative process is spent here in the desert. It is where most projects go to die, or even worse, to turn back.
The creative process has never been easy. Living a life driven by your passions has never been easy. Pursuing the Promised Land has never been easy. All require us to go through the desert. The Israelites quickly learned that slavery seems comfortable compared to the discomfort and uncertainty experienced en route to the Promised Land.
Discomfort and uncertainty are the prices we pay for living a life that’s remarkable.
Discomfort and uncertainty are not signs that we should turn back. They actually serve as proof that we are on the right track. Going back may seem easier, but going back means surrendering to your old life of slavery.
Move through the desert. The Promised Land depends on it.
“If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3)
Launching a project, movement, or mass exodus feels really good at the beginning. Ideas flow, energy sparks, and inspiration runs wild. If we work long enough though, before we enter our Promised Land, we all will inevitably make our way into the desert.
The desert is the treacherous space between the starting line and the end result. It’s where problems arise, tensions take root, and comfort ceases to exist. The far majority of our creative process is spent here in the desert. It is where most projects go to die, or even worse, to turn back.
The creative process has never been easy. Living a life driven by your passions has never been easy. Pursuing the Promised Land has never been easy. All require us to go through the desert. The Israelites quickly learned that slavery seems comfortable compared to the discomfort and uncertainty experienced en route to the Promised Land.
Discomfort and uncertainty are the prices we pay for living a life that’s remarkable.
Discomfort and uncertainty are not signs that we should turn back. They actually serve as proof that we are on the right track. Going back may seem easier, but going back means surrendering to your old life of slavery.
Move through the desert. The Promised Land depends on it.
