Resolution to Friday's Confusion

I found some resolution to the confusion of the other night.  I've written out in a metaphor below. If you aren't familiar with the story of the Israelites and their wandering in the desert, then this metaphor will be hard to understand.  I'd be happy to explain the symbology.  Just ask. Seeing Mirages in the Desert The Israelites wandered for forty years in the desert before reaching the promised land.I've heard series taught and read books written on the topic of Christians going through 'desert' periods in their own lives.Here's my theory of what happens when I'm in the desert and someone else tries to tell me I'm in the promised land.I've got enough manna for the day. The water is here. The sun is hot beating down. I have to keep packing it all up and moving on again because that pillar of fire or cloud is moving. Trudging along one day at a time. Thankfully my needs are met, but just enough for the day. I'm wandering in circles, literally, but that's where God is leading me. I'm growing in my trust in Him, and He is preparing me for whatever lies ahead.Then someone comes along - and says "Oh, see the abundant grapes! See the milk and the honey! We're in the promised land! Stop being so down. You shouldn't be tired and weary. Why do you keep packing up and moving? Settle down here in the promised land! God promised us abundance. Don't you see it? There must be something wrong with you."Then I look around trying to see this promised land. All I see is the desert. I know God is there. I know He is leading me, but I don't see the 'land flowing with milk and honey'. And I start doubting. Maybe I'm not following him correctly, maybe this is the promised land and I'm making things worse by continuing to wander. So I decide to settle, stop packing up and following that annoying pillar. I'm in the promised land, right? God gave us all these promises and I have them now . . . right? So-and-so said so. I must have been wrong.So, then I stop following the pillar and settle down in the desert. Now, the pillar keeps moving and leaves me behind. The manna and water supply are with the pillar. I can't get the food and nourishment I need. My needs are no longer being met. I become even more tired and weary, over-heated, ready to collapse.And that person comes again to me and says, "For heaven's sake, what's your problem? Why aren't you satisfied with the abundant life God has promised you? Why haven't you found it? It's there for the asking! Just take hold of it. Try harder."And I look around again, trying to see this promised land. Worn and and weary, I start seeing an oasis in the distance. "There's the promised land!" I pack up and and hurry to it, only to find it is a mirage. Then I glimpse another in the distance, "That must be the way! That must be the promised land I've been looking for!" But again, as I get closer, I realize it's just a mirage. And I cry out to God, "Where are you? Where is this abundant life? Why am I so weary and in so much pain?"And God says, "I will bring you into the promised land. But for now you must walk in this desert. I will meet your needs. I will be with you every step of the way. You will struggle in the heat and you will grow weary in the journey, but I will be there for you and give you the rest you need and the strength to make it through, until we reach the promised land."And the pillar appears in the distance. "There He is!" I cry, and get up and follow the pillar. The manna is here, the water is here. I revive myself. But, the abundant life still eludes me. But I'm back on the journey, following that pillar, not caring where it takes me. I know the day will come when I will be in the land flowing with milk and honey, when I'll cross the Jordan into the promised land. But, in His wisdom, God has chosen to lead me through the desert first. And there I learn to depend on Him for all my needs, and He prepares me for the promised land.