Your Red Sea

I wanted to share a quick thought that came to my mind as I was reading in Exodus 14. When I read the stories recorded in scripture, it is very common for me to imagine I am a part of the story. I can see myself actually there in that moment experiencing the very situation I am reading about. That is what happens when you have the mind of a 10-year old (smiley face).

Exodus chronicles one of the most popular events in the Old Testament of the Israelites miraculously crossing the Red Sea. I was imagining what it must have felt like to be an Israelite, a member of God’s very own people, enslaved by Egypt with no apparent hope of freedom. Then one day, you are released and granted a freedom that was nothing more than a dream the day before. You are overwhelmed with joy and feelings of possibility as you face a new future of promise and excitement. As you are happily leaving Egypt and all those horrifying and difficult experiences, you come to the edge of the Red Sea. At that same time, you see the Egyptian army bearing down on you and it is clear they are not coming to say goodbye. You cannot turn back and you cannot go forward. You are trapped in an impossible situation with imminent defeat.

Exodus 14:13 records Moses’ response to the situation.

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today…”

As I contemplated this scene, I sensed the Holy Spirit say to me, “Steve, your ‘Red Sea’ is no more impossible for me than the Red Sea that trapped the Israelites. Stand still with a confident assurance and watch me do what seems impossible.”

As Christ followers, we define “impossible” differently than those who do not know Christ. Yet, over and over I find myself unconsciously gravitating toward the common understanding of impossible. When that happens, I am unable to see the possibilities because all my eyes can see is the inevitability of defeat.

What is your “red sea”? What situation are you in that has you feeling trapped with no means of escape? What obstacles are you facing in your life that seem insurmountable?

You and I may cognitively acknowledge that “nothing is too big for God,” but too many times our private thoughts, emotions and actions do not mirror the “correct” answer that we feel obligated to say with our lips.

Whatever “red sea” you are facing this week, remember the words of Exodus 14:13.

Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today…

Let those words be a source of joy and hope today as you fulfill your calling and commission. It is not our job to have all the answers and God does not expect us to carry the weight of the world. That is His job.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26

Steve