At the end of the Deuteronomy, there comes this encounter between God and the long-suffering leader, Moses.
Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. Then the Lord said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.'"
God speaks to Moses for the last time and tells him that what Moses has longed-for is fulfilled.
At times, all of us stand at thresholds and contemplate the future. For all of us, there can be an expectation, call it a dream or a hope, of what life will turn out to have meant at the end. What do you hope your life will turn out to mean at the end? What will fulfillment be for you?
I confess that there are moments when my life seems perfectly fulfilled. Have you ever said to yourself, "Having seen that, I can now die in peace!"
I suggest you seek a moment like that today. What I have in mind is for you to call your friend and tell her or tell him how strong the connection between you has been and remains. Or check out the trees that are now just turning to their true New England colors, the green of summer having drained away. Gaze upon open water; a river, a lake, as the water sparkles in the autumn air. Go visit a child. Go visit someone who would like to see you. Seek out something today that blows into your mind and your heart, that fills your spirit with the understanding that you could die in peace, having seen it.
You will know you have found the moment because you will find yourself grateful. You might find yourself reaching for words of blessing and joy; perhaps words like these:
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam!
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the Universe!
I'm guessing that's what Moses said that day on Mount Pisgah.
Posts
