The Forty Years and the Stirring: Faith When the Currents Pull Us Away

My friends, have you ever felt like you’re standing on the edge of a current—a cultural current, a personal drift—and you can’t see the shore? You look back, and the people you love, the ones you poured your heart into, seem to be floating downstream, pulled by the tide of the world? It can feel like decades pass, and the seeds you planted seem dormant, waiting for a divine wind to blow.

It hit me this week while studying the Exodus, and I immediately thought of the stories of Moses. Think about it: forty years in Pharaoh’s court. Then, forty years wandering in Midian. A chasm of time. Forty years before the burning bush finally stirs him back toward the calling. It’s a powerful testament to the Lord’s patience, and I know that feeling—the worry, the concern, the quiet prayer for those we love who have wandered.

When we talk about the great exodus, we’re really talking about a pattern that echoes through our own lives and the lives of our loved ones. We see the parallels in the parable of the prodigal son, in the stories of those who drift away, and in the quiet ache of watching a dear friend or family member become disconnected from the safety of the gospel embrace. We wonder, “How long will this time last?”

The key takeaway, as I was pondering this, is that the Lord is patient, but He is also sovereign. He works in the timing of the Spirit, not always in the timing of our anxiety. Jared Halverson’s study really highlighted this beautiful, slow evolution of Moses—from the hesitant man to the divinely appointed deliverer. It wasn't instant; it was a process of being drawn back, stirred by the Spirit, even when he felt inadequate.

This is where we, as disciples, need to anchor ourselves. We plant the seeds, we testify, we invite, and then we trust the Master Gardener. We can’t control the currents, but we can control our response: our faith, our persistent testimony, and our willingness to keep showing up.

The Divine Stirring: Hope in the Wait

If you are praying, fasting, and worrying over someone whose spiritual journey seems stalled—if you feel like you are watching them drift down the Nile of worldly influence—please hold onto this truth: The Lord has not forgotten them. There is always a stirring waiting for the right moment, the right prompting, the right season.

We must remember that even when we feel we have done everything—when we’ve given the counsel, shared the scripture, and offered the invitation—the next step belongs to the Spirit, and sometimes, that step is simply waiting patiently for the Lord to move hearts.

This isn't about giving up; it's about *re-centering* our focus. We keep polishing our own testimony, we keep deepening our own roots in scripture study, and we keep showing up for the covenant path. Because when we are spiritually deep, we are better equipped to recognize and respond to the slightest stirrings in others.

A Skill for the Field: Practicing Patience

For those of us who are in missionary preparation, or even those of us who are seasoned returned missionaries, I want to suggest a skill to practice this week: **The Testimony of the Long View.** When you are in a missionary discussion, or when you are studying with a friend, don't just focus on the immediate answer. Focus on the *eternal* pattern. Remind yourself (and them) that the covenant path is a marathon, not a sprint. The Spirit works in seasons.

If you want to deepen your understanding of these patterns, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. They have some incredible insights on discipleship through seasons of waiting.

If this message resonates with you, or if you have a story of enduring faith during a long wait, please share it! We are a community of rogue disciples, and we thrive on sharing the practical wisdom gained in the field.

For those who want to continue this deep dive into scripture, I encourage you to join a Book Club or a Social Scripture Study group in HolyPlaces. Let's keep the momentum going!