Early this past winter, when Doug and I realized that we would no longer be at camp the summer of 2026, we planned a self-imposed sabbatical of sorts. Who knew what jobs would come next, and who knew if the flexibility to take an extended camping trip would be feasible or possible in the years to come? Besides, we were not sure what God had in store after leading both of us to end long-term commitments and positions. We would need time, space, and place to ponder, pray, listen, and consider.
Fast forward to two days ago when I began packing for this experience. I decided to count out the exact amount of medicine to pack along for the days we would be gone. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, punched in the numbers into the calculator, and hit the equal sign.
The number came to 40.
Now, I have been accused of seeing God in most things (that’s something to talk about another time), but this seemed like God was knocking on my noggin. If you are like me, that number stopped you in your tracks. I am not into numerology, but I do try to pay attention and notice patterns and details in life, in creation, in God’s word. Forty days and nights is a span of time God frequently used in the Bible as a time of testing, preparation, strengthening, and refinement.
There were 40 days and nights of rain during the great flood of Noah’s time. Then Moses climbed Mount Sinai to receive God’s law in the same time-frame. The Israelites took 40 days to check out the promised land before they considered entering it. When Elijah fled from murderous Jezebel after listening to God and showing her and King Ahab on Mt. Carmel (and a whole bunch of others) who really was the only true God, he fled from her for fear of his life. He became severely depressed, and, after being strengthened by God’s angel for the journey, traveled for 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God where the Lord first blew Elijah’s socks off with great winds and earthquakes and then spoke to him in a gentle whisper, giving Elijah comfort, encouragement, and direction. Don’t forget Jesus and His 40 days and nights right after He was baptized and right before His public ministry when the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to face the devil and His own temptations.
So, knowing all this, when I saw that Doug and I would be gone for 40 days and nights, I gasped. “God, what are you preparing us for?” I murmured. “What is it that you are going to do during this time away?”
I don’t want to waste this opportunity. I have plenty of questions, ideas, concerns, and wonderings on my mind; so hear is my prayer: Lord help me not be too busy or too oblivious to notice or pay attention to what you are saying. After all, I don’t want to extend my time of listening and wondering from 40 days to 40 years. Help me, Lord, to be deliberately intentional with the time of 40 days and nights you are giving us, to listen when you are speaking, to notice how you are revealing yourself, and to follow where you are leading.
Amen.
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