“When we were at Mount Sinai, the LORD our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough…
Break camp and advance into the hill country…
See I have given you the land, go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give it to your fathers-and to their descendants after them.”Deuteronomy 1:6-8, The Holy Bible
At this point in history, the Children of Israel has wandered in the wilderness for over forty years. Their hearts were well tested and they had experienced the miraculous supply of ‘manna’, never-worn-out shoes and clothes, pillar of clouds by day and pillar of fire by night. They have accustomed to this miraculous way of life in the wilderness for the past forty years.
But, wilderness was not their destiny.
Wilderness was just the learning ground of how to worship their God in His terms. Once they got these right, they needed to move on. Their God was leading them forward, out of the wilderness just like the manner they were led to go out of Egypt.
Where were they heading? The Promised Land was where they were heading. They were brought out from Egypt to enter and possess “the land”.
Now the early generation has gone, new generation has grown up, they were ready to enter the land their fathers were set out for. They were entering a land that was fertile where they could settle in. They could own a portion of the land, where they could plant seeds and reap their harvest in due seasons. It was the land filled with milk and honey – a good land that yields good things – a totally different place as compared to the wilderness.
The Bible describes it this way: ” … a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.” Deuternomy 8:7-9, The Holy Bible
The Promised Land for the Entrepreneurs
With this context in mind, what now is the Promised Land for the entrepreneurs?
It is the place where entrepreneurs find the business model that works with the right products. It is like when Jack Ma discovered the online platform, Steve Jobs founded Apple Inc., Asa Griggs Candler devised the Coca Cola formula, Richard McDonald pioneered the fast food chain business model, … the list goes on.
Now, the effort they put in building their business is no longer futile, but it produces much. They are in the place where the business environment is favourable and the success is sustainable. “Harvesting” will soon become a regular activity in their business.
Wilderness experience is a teacher for the entrepreneur. You have adopted a disciplined life. You knew there were unpredictable and divine opportunity along the way. You have learned and known about yourselves much better now. You have learned how to ride on the wave of opposition. You have learned how to manage risks. Unknowingly, wilderness experience has made you, the entrepreneur, a ready candidate for success.
The next course of action for you (the entrepreneur) is to break camp and advance into your destiny.
Break Camp
Break camp means to break away from the inhibition. It means also to roll away the negative effect of the prolonged living in the wilderness.
Weariness, apprehension, insecurity, reservation, discouragement could well be the side effect of wandering in the wilderness. The longer you stay in the same environment, the more you might feel disheartened.
Likewise, while trying on various products and models, you may be staying too long in the testing mode, subtly you might be beginning to lose sight of the purpose of why you left you 9 to 5 job in the first place.
Why did you choose to pursue the life of an entrepreneur?
Consider again: isn’t it for financial freedom? Isn’t for satisfaction? Isn’t for a more purposeful work-life balance? Whatever your reason is, it is time to break away from all the inhibitions and realign your path with your purpose. Get ready to advance into your success.
Timing is everything in an entrepreneur’s journey. A time to wander and a time to settle; a time to plant, a time for the seeds to grow; a time to sow and a time to harvest.
When it is time to move, do not stay at where you are. You have stayed at the same place for too long. It is time to move on.
The next question: how to make a move?
Advancing in the Right Direction
Advancing is the next course of action. Advancing means to have a breakthrough. Breakthrough involves breaking away from inhibition, advancing brings you to the next level of competence and success.
But, it does not mean that there will be no more obstacles and no more hard work required.
In fact, the next step towards the higher calling means there will be more heights to reach, more rivers to go through and even giants to fight with. Taking possession of a land of good things is no easy task. Before you can take possession of the land, you need to drive out the giants (the inhabitants) in the land.
What giants likely are there? Power, sex, money is all by nature neutral things but if you could not manage them with integrity, they will become the giants that hinder your success. In the “land of good things”, these giants can still cause you to walk away from your purpose. When this happens, your success will not be sustainable. Your position is the land is not secured.
Time in the wilderness is the trying times you had, if you endure and overcome the dry spell with integrity, you will reach your goals: be it a financial one or spiritual one, your wilderness experience is the foundation for your success.
So, it is important to have a strong sense of calling and missions before you get to the Promised Land or the success you hope for.
Now, you understand why wilderness must happen before the Promised Land. You need to be certain that you can handle riches, power and success while you spent time going through the wilderness.
Settling for the Best
We should only be settled for the best – the best is settled in our memory with the engrained experience in the wilderness, where marked the faithfulness of God.
As a believer, we learnt that “it is God who gives you the ability to produce wealth….”, remember not to forget all His benefits, and be very careful to obey His commandments in all your business dealings.
Do not worship other gods in the Promised Land – do not be led by the love of money, pleasure and immediate gratification. Then you will do well and continue to do well, your place in your success is then secured. This is to ensure that you will not be destroyed in your success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as we have come to the eighth ancient principles gleaning from the experience of the Children of Israel in the wilderness, we can see that divine wisdom is always applicable despite today’s ever-changing world.
Business models, products and people’s needs may change, but Biblical wisdom is always relevant and timeless. We ought to pay attention and keep coming back to them to regulate our business’ directions.
Above all is the omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God who is worthy to be worshipped and praised. As we commit our business to Him, we are in His safe hands.
May all glory to God, our Heavenly Father in all our past, present and future success. Amen and amen!
Louise Lee Writes.com 