Exodus 1-3; Galatians 5

Passages in Exodus tell of oppression and slavery; of Moses–set apart, saved, chosen; of relationship with God, his direction.

Moses who calls out, “Here I am!”

⁴ When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am!” Moses replied. Exodus 3:4, NLT. (emphasis mine)

And later wonders, “Who am I?”

¹¹ But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11, NLT. (emphasis mine)

This is what God said:

¹² God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” Exodus 3:12, NLT.

Sometimes if a calling seems clear, uncertainty and insecurity slow a pace and cloud a vision. An enemy can take up residence in thought or stand just close enough behind and say, “You’re not ( … ) enough.”

In 2011, I stood outside of a house and looked out upon a snowy landscape. I said to God, “If you want us here, I trust in you to make it happen.” Today, I worship him from that very place where he delivered me physically, emotionally, spiritually. Throughout the journey, I often wondered who am I? I learned throughout that God was with me, and that he is (…) enough.

These words are the reminder I need.

Thank you, Lord.

Courtney (66books365)

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Genesis 23,24; Matthew 17

I think I’ve done it too. Like Abraham’s servant on a mission to find a wife for Isaac–he stood there before a well, talking to God, telling Him how it ought to go down … if this, and that, then “this is how I will know “… I found huge delight at what followed:

Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. Genesis 24:15a (NLT; emphasis mine)

Looking back in time, God’s hand becomes easier to see. But in the moment, I imagine the task Abraham’s servant faced. I sensed his uncertainty building, and his prayer touched me, because I’ve done similar: God, if this is what You want, make it clear to me! And to think that before my prayer is finished leaving my mouth, He’s already worked it out. Sometimes so I can recognize it, other times in ways that take me by surprise.

I wonder what Peter thought when Jesus told him to reach into the mouth of a fish and retrieve coins to pay the taxes! It should not have been any less astonishing were Peter told to ask a specific person for the coins, or to even find them on the ground … but Jesus takes it to the extraordinary. Jesus stretches Peter’s thinking (and mine).

Lord, I’m so grateful for all the ways you make yourself known–that I find you in ways I can recognize, and in ways I’d never imagine. I delight in seeing your hand active in history (and my life), how you stretch my imagination. Thank you for always being there.

Courtney (66books365)

Listening to: You Were There by Avalon.