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(presented by Lisa Bishop)
For some of us change is invigorating and for others it can feel intimidating. For some change feels adventurous, and for others, well, we like what feels safe, comfortable and predictable. What is your reaction when you experience change?
When I think about change, I think about the story of Moses in the book of Exodus. As a bit of a refresher, when Moses is shepherding his father-in-law’s flock in the far side of the wilderness, he comes to Horeb, the mountain of God. The angel of the Lord appears to him in a bush that is burning but not consumed by the fire. God calls out to Moses from the bush, tells him that he has observed his people enduring suffering and oppression from the Egyptians and tells Moses that he is the one God will use to free the Israelites from Egypt and bring them into the promised land. Reacting out of fear Moses says, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God responds, “I will certainly be with you” (Exodus 3:11-12).
Needless to say, from this point on, Moses’s life is altered, the course of his life is changed forever.
As the story unfolds and as Moses’s fear of future confrontations with Pharaoh builds, his faith also waivers. He mutters, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” God’s rebuttal is strong and he says, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:10-12). Even with this strong assurance from the Lord, Moses still pleads for God to pass him over and use someone else for the challenge ahead.
You may be asking, “What does this have to do with navigating change in my life?” I am glad you asked. You see, there may be times in life when you are called to make a course correction or when God calls you to make a change in life that provokes fear, a sense of inadequacy, or downright resistance. Moses’s story reminds us that in the midst of change, God is near. In fact, in the midst of Moses’s fear and flailing faith in the face of change, from shepherd to deliverer, twice God tells Moses, “I will be with you.”
Is there an area of your life that you need that same reminder? That whatever you are facing, God sees you?
When you face uncertainty, you can be tempted to default to fear rather than lean into faith. So let this be a reminder to you today that whatever your circumstances, whenever life throws you a curveball, God says, “I will be with you.”