Exodus Moments Continued

 

Over the past few weeks as we’ve journeyed through Exodus, we’ve heard the people of God return to the refrain of complaining.  In Exodus 14, the people of God are a few steps out of Egypt ~ the sweet taste of freedom lingering on their tongues.  They camp by the Red Sea ~ roasting marshmallows and singing Kum ba yah.  But in the morning, Pharaoh regrets and reconsiders his decision to “let God’s people go,” and 800 chariots come charging after the people.  Hemmed in with the Red Sea before them and the guards breathing down their necks ~ the people of God take to social media and post the worst Yelp review of Moses’ leadership saying, “Moses couldn’t lead people out of an invisible box!”  God provides a way where there was no way and the Red Sea is parted.  Woo hoo!  Insert Queen singing, “We are the champions, my friends.” 

Yesterday in worship, we centered on Exodus 16.  On the other side of the Red Sea, the Israelites’ feet still soggy and muddy from cross over the parted waters, begin grumbling and mumbling again.  This time they are hungry.  “Great,” they say, “we are following someone who can’t read directions or cook.  Just our luck.”  This time, God provides manna, bread, in the wilderness.

Then, the very next chapter, Exodus 17, you guessed it, the people are still waking up on the wrong side of the sleeping bag while out camping in the wilderness.  This time their mouths are dry from eating too much manna.  The people, smacking their lips, trying desperately to make some saliva, overly dramatically say, “So…thirsty…why, o why, are we following the guy who wouldn’t know water if he was standing in a river.”

Scripture holds a mirror up to us, reflects our human nature to get caught in cycles of cynicism as we wander in the uncertainty of the wilderness today.  And it is easier to stay on the sidelines pointing out all the flaws and foibles of others than to step onto the field.  It is easier to play armchair quarterback or shout out advice to someone else to do something than to get involved.  Part of the reason is we know if we get involved, we might be responsible to come up with a solution.  What happens if that good advice and idea we keep sharing on social media really doesn’t work out?  What happens if our ideas and insights aren’t as brilliant as we think? 

My invitation for you this week is to notice when you reside in the muttering and mumbling zone.  Notice when you say things like, “This always happens,” when you get stopped at a red light when running late.  “This is the worst thing ever,” when the grocery store is out of an item.  I know I can get caught in cycle of catastrophizing and seeing only the brokenness.  Yes, stress and strain are a reality.  And yes, God provides strength, bread, water, and a presence we need in the wilderness today.  Yes, alongside the brokenness there is beauty and blessing ~ life is not an either or forced choice but an invitation to be present over perfect.  May you and I practice this prayer posture every day this week.  Amen.