From: God

To: Moses

Priority Status: Urgent

Subject:  For your own sake, send out scouts to scout the land!

Moses, you’ve been doing a great job under very difficult circumstances.  I’m proud of you and I hope that you feel personal satisfaction as well.  A while back we had a few trouble spots, you and I.  First, when everyone started to get seriously riled up, leading you to complain that the burden was too great and that you couldn’t carry it anymore, I encouraged you to let some of your own spirit of prophecy, of connection to the divine, be shared with the Elders.  And when young Joshua rushed in to you, aghast that the spirit rested with Eldad and Medad though they were not in the Tent of Meeting with the others, you warmed my heart when you chastised him, saying, “Are you jealous for me?  Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets!”  And, later, when sibling rivalry raised its ugly head, you kept your cool.  You were quietly humble before Aaron and Miriam.  You honored them and showed them the depths of your love for them.

I never said that it would be easy, and it hasn’t been.  And now we’ve got another step to climb on this steep learning curve of ours.  We’re here, not far from our destination.  But the real destination isn’t measured in miles; it’s measured in the heart and soul.  Are the Israelites ready?  Are you ready?  It’s time to empower them, to inspire and challenge them to lift their heads, strengthen their hearts, flex their muscles, and stretch their wings!  But just as you must be the one to empower them, you also must do it for your own sake.  This is the test of your mettle, of your leadership and your heart.  Have you prepared them?  And can you let them go, knowing that they may fail just as they may succeed?