Steps in the Sand

It's amazing how the plight of the Israelites coming out of Egypt in the Book of Exodus is quite similar to the life of the believer.  Trapped in his slavery, the Deliverer covers him from death by the blood of the Lamb, leading him through the water, passing from one life to the next, as those things that plague him are washed away, then to be led by the fire and smoke of the Spirit through the desert until the promised land of his purpose, which isn't just handed over, but requires work.  I can say that I am in the desert.  The fire of God is leading me day by day.  I see the Jordan shimmering in the sun, and the lushness of the Promised Land on the other side, and I feel like running straight toward the cool of the water, but the Pillar of my deliverance gently tells me "not now, the time hasn't come yet".  I am being led baby step by baby step across the sand in the hot sun.  Have you ever tried taking baby steps in the sand?  It's difficult, but I know God is teaching me new lessons everyday through it, so that I may be equipped to take on the challenges faced in fulfilling the purpose God has for me.