By Jaime Salcido
For the past eighteen months we have lived challenging and odd times, and it certainly feels like we have walked through the wilderness for way too long. With most social distancing rules and legal restrictions being lifted tomorrow, it seems that we are entering a foreign land. Some of you may be eager and excited to go out and see and hug your friends and family again. And some of you may feel worried or anxious about how this "new normality" will look like. Regardless of how you feel, there is a sense of uncertainty in the air; of entering a foreign land.
This reminded me of the book of Deuteronomy. After forty long and hard years of wandering through the wilderness, a new generation of Israelites is on the verge of entering the land that was promised to their ancestors. But before taking the promise, they needed to be reminded of the nature of God and His faithfulness to them. Deuteronomy literally means "second law", and in a series of speeches, Moses reminded them of who they were and how they should live as the people of God. Moses encouraged obedience to the law by constantly reassuring them of God's goodness and His authority to keep his promises, despite their past mistakes.
In Deuteronomy 6, Moses tells the Israelites: "Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey".
Regardless of how life looks after "freedom day", let us all be reminded that ultimate freedom comes from God and following His ways. We might not know what the "new normality" will look like, but it is not unfamiliar to the God who was with the Israelites entering a foreign land, is with us in these uncertain times and shall be with us forever.
As Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." So, whether you are indoors or outdoors, live in the ultimate freedom of the children of God for "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed", even if it feels like entering a foreign
land.