Our first family dog was a black Cocker Spaniel named Bridget. We gave her that name because it struck us as a posh name befitting such a bougie dog breed. She was a sweet little dog who, for the most part, would go with the flow. She was also every bit the spoiled princess. At no point was this more apparent than when we attempted to take her on a walk. While most dogs make a beeline for the door at the mere whisper of the very word walk or the subtle jingle of a leash being removed from the cupboard, Bridget was indifferent at best or outright annoyed at the suggestion. She was less than eager to get outside and move her pudgy little legs.
It wasn’t as if we expected such a small dog to join us on a several mile trek. We were well-aware of her physical dimensions and limitations. Our neighborhood at the time consisted of a flat, straight strip of road that stretched for all of half a mile. Our walks only covered about a third of the available distance. Our routine was to walk to a hanging bridge that crossed the river just down the street from our house, take a few minutes to watch the water flow, and walk home. Bridget would walk with us about half-way, then she was done. Her pace would slow until she was pulling on the leash. When we would turn around to retrieve her, she would attempt to lead us back to the house. Any effort to encourage her onward would result in her stubbornly dropping to the ground with all the sass she could muster and refusing to move in any direction.
Given the choice between joining us walking a path of relative freedom or turning back to her cage, Bridget usually opted for the latter. It always struck me as crazy that she would rather return to captivity than walk with us.
I never understood her stubborn insistence on going back. When we would leave her at home, Bridget would get locked up in a 2 by 3 foot kennel; she was placed in captivity. Sure, going for a walk took some effort, but she had substantially greater freedom walking down the road. Given the choice between joining us walking a path of relative freedom or turning back to her cage, Bridget usually opted for the latter. It always struck me as crazy that she would rather return to captivity than walk with us.
The people of God demonstrated a similar proclivity. In Exodus 14, God has Moses take a walk with Him into the wilderness. Upon reaching the banks of the Red Sea they find there is no bridge on which to cross and there was an army chasing them down. In Exodus 14:12, the people complain to Moses, “Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” They had barely begun walking the path God had for them, a path that He promised would lead them to freedom and blessing, and they whine about wishing they were back in captivity.
Of course, God has a plan and parts the sea to allow them to cross on dry land, saving their lives. Even after this and many more instances of miraculous provision, the people still complain and attempt to abandon their walk with the Lord. Every time it gets inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unpredictable they cry for their cages. In Numbers 14, on the verge of reaching their destination, they still consider returning to captivity. Numbers 14:3b-4 reads, “Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?’ And they said, ‘We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” They opt to go back to confinement rather than continue to pursue the path God has for them in faith.
Jesus has offered an open invitation for any and all to walk with Him. He was quite clear that the walk won’t always be easy, but that it will be worth it.
I don’t think God’s people are all that different today. Jesus has offered an open invitation for any and all to walk with Him. He was quite clear that the walk won’t always be easy, but that it will be worth it. We read these words in Matthew 16:24-25: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Many of us have accepted His invitation, but when we start feeling uncomfortable or uncertain, we begin pulling back towards the security of the known. But, going back is a fool’s errand. All that lies behind is the comfort of cages… The cages of addiction, loneliness, secret sin, hopelessness, brokenness… [insert your cage of choice here].
We need to stop opting for the comfort of captivity. Instead, we should strive to continue on the path to which Christ has called us. Trust that He has a plan and a purpose, even when the going gets rough. It will take some effort on our part, but He will help us get through. He is faithful and He has promised freedom to all who follow where he leads. Let us choose to walk with Jesus.
