The men’s group at our church meets every Wednesday evening. We chat for a bit, get up to date on each others’ lives and spend the last hour reading from a consecutive passage in the Bible and talking about it. We just recently started Exodus and some of the guys have never read it before, which usually makes for some interesting discussion. But discussion without change of thought or lifestyle isn’t worth much. So here is something that I have learned and also am trying to put into practice.
Learn
Moses was afraid to obey God. He didn’t want to go back to Egypt. He didn’t want to lead the Israelites to freedom. He didn’t believe in himself. He made excuses (some valid, some not). But eventually he did obey. The first time, it didn’t go too well. But he persevered through some difficult situations. And in the end, Moses succeeds – in a big way.
Pharaoh is quite the opposite. Of course, he didn’t want to obey God either. But unlike Moses, he disregarded God completely and suffered much. In fact, he became so adamant against God that he even ignored the pleadings of his officials, who had eventually changed their views. And in his selfishness and stubbornness, he brought catastrophe on his own people.
Moses was afraid to obey God. He didn’t want to go back to Egypt. He didn’t want to lead the Israelites to freedom. He didn’t believe in himself. He made excuses (some valid, some not). But eventually he did obey. The first time, it didn’t go too well. But he persevered through some difficult situations. And in the end, Moses succeeds – in a big way.
Pharaoh is quite the opposite. Of course, he didn’t want to obey God either. But unlike Moses, he disregarded God completely and suffered much. In fact, he became so adamant against God that he even ignored the pleadings of his officials, who had eventually changed their views. And in his selfishness and stubbornness, he brought catastrophe on his own people.
- Obedience, though difficult and unpleasant, often brings long term success. Disobedience, though great in the short term, often brings terrible consequences.
Change
So now I’ve learnt something that I need to put into practice. That is, as I make choices throughout the day, I begin to do what I know is right (obedience) because I know it is for my good. So when Cassie is being cranky, I take her for a walk to give Mom a break. When the driver on the highway doesn’t want to let me in, I don’t freak out at him, I take a deep breath. When the room is a mess, I don’t wait for someone else to clean it up, instead I initiate tidying.
So now I’ve learnt something that I need to put into practice. That is, as I make choices throughout the day, I begin to do what I know is right (obedience) because I know it is for my good. So when Cassie is being cranky, I take her for a walk to give Mom a break. When the driver on the highway doesn’t want to let me in, I don’t freak out at him, I take a deep breath. When the room is a mess, I don’t wait for someone else to clean it up, instead I initiate tidying.
Well, it could sound like I never make bad decisions or disobey on purpose. I still do. But being reminded regularly makes me more aware of my choices during the day. God doesn’t beat me over the head about my mistakes but instead he forgives me and reminds me that I will have another opportunity to make the right choice. And that, brings a smile to both of us.
Teaching Adventures 