Moves of the Heart vs搬迁
Dexu Xia
Moves of the Heart
Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.
According to the US Census Bureau, Americans move from one address to another an average of eleven to twelve times during the course of a lifetime. In a recent year, 28 million people packed up, moved, and unpacked under a new roof.
During Israel’s forty years in the wilderness, the cloud of God’s presence led a whole family nation to make one move after another in anticipation of a new homeland. The account is so repetitious, it reads almost like a comedy. Over and over the huge family packed and unpacked not only its own belongings but also the tent and furnishings of the tabernacle, where the God of the cloud met with Moses (see Exodus 25:22).
Many years later, Jesus would give fuller meaning to the story of Israel’s moving days. Instead of leading from a cloud, He came in person. When He said, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19), He began showing that the most important changes of address happen on roads of the heart. By leading both friends and enemies to the foot of a Roman cross, He showed how far the God of the cloud and tabernacle would go to rescue us.
Like changes of address, such moves of the heart are unsettling. But someday, from a window in our Father’s house, we’ll see that Jesus led us all the way.
Today's Reflection In what ways does choosing to follow God unsettle you? How might prayer help to strengthen your faith and trust in Him?
搬迁
云彩几时从帐幕收上去，以色列人就几时起行；云彩在哪里停住，以色列人就在那里安营。-民数记9章17节
根据美国人口普查局的数据，美国人平均一生会搬家11到12次。最近一年，就有2800万美国人收拾家当，搬迁到新的地方，然后安顿下来。
在以色列人四十年旷野漂流期间，整个国家民族跟随代表上帝同在的云彩，带着对美好家园的期盼，一步一步地向应许之地前行。他们重复地从一处搬迁到另一处，让人觉得似乎有点诙谐。这个庞大的民族在迁移中，除了收拾、搬迁、安置自己的家当，也有专人负责搬迁上帝与摩西相会的会幕和里面的陈设（参阅出埃及记25章22节）。
多年以后，耶稣赋予以色列人的迁移更丰富的意义。祂不是以云彩引导，而是亲自前来。祂说：“来，跟从我！”（马太福音4章19节），之后就开始让他们知道，若要迁移到上帝的国中，内心就必须改变。当祂在十字架上时，祂向众人（包括与祂为敌的人）显明了，那位过去在云彩和会幕中的上帝为要拯救世人，做了多大的牺牲。
正如搬迁到新环境的不安，心境上的转折也会面对许多挑战与挣扎。但到了那一天，我们在天父的家中，便能看到耶稣一路都在引领着我们。
主啊，祢知道我们多么不喜欢搬迁。
但我们愿意跟随祢，求祢让我们今天能跟随祢爱的引导，前往任何地方。
凭信心跟随主引领。