We are diving and dwelling in Chapter 1 of Exodus this week. Yesterday, we noted in the space between Exodus chapter 1 verse 7 and 8, things go from blessing to brokenness in the blink of an eye.
People go from living the dream to a nightmare.
People go from normalcy to tragedy.
People go from walking on sunshine to the aftermath of a hurricane.
Living amid the storm ~ we know something about that. We are seasick from life. And, because the deep truth is that there is always an “and” with our still writing/editing/composing God, there is Shiphrah and Puah. These two fiercely faithful women who don’t solve all the problems, but do what they can where they can.
How did yesterday go with finding Shiphrah and Puah like courage, curiosity, and creativity in your living? Did those words stay in your mind? Did those words find expression in your presence? Did you find ways to embody those words in these days?
Exodus chapter 1 sets up the scene ~ people are oppressed. The sandal of the Pharaoh’s foot is on the neck of the people of God. And most scholars think that Moses is about 80 years old before he will sing to Pharoah, “Let my people go.” Eighty years plus before Moses goes from the sidelines to finding his voice to speak truth to power of Pharaoh. I know Dr. King taught us arc of the moral universe bends toward justice and liberation, but does it have to be that long? I know that arc is never smooth sailing ~ that it can be two steps forward twenty back. Why can’t we microwave justice because door dash can deliver my groceries same day?
80 years ~ that’s a lifetime. And that is the point. What will you give your one wild and precious life to in these days? It is so tempting to race and run after every cause today. There is a lure of responding when our hearts break and souls ache, we want to do something ~ anything! And yet, often, like Shiphrah and Puah, we can do what we can, where we can. I know others may express disappointment in you, I have heard that. I know others may demand you do something, I have heard that. I know expectations and assumptions feed and fuel our anxiety today in ways that keep us endlessly racing and running around.
What is that one place you long to share and shine your light in these dwindling days of 2022? Where does your courage, curiosity, and creativity long to find expression on the canvas of life? You don’t have to answer these questions today or even this week. Sometimes, as the poet Rumi said, we live the question and in living the question faithfully each day we live into an answer ~ sometimes as with Moses ~ it takes a lifetime. May the words of Exodus continue to inspire our living every day. May you and I, like Shiphrah and Puah, find ways to be the soul of the places we stand today. Amen.
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