Have you ever read the story of Moses? He was the man God saved as a baby when his sister put him in a basket, in the Nile River. He was found by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as Pharaoh’s grandson until he killed a man who was beating an Israelite. Then he was a man on the run. But, he also became the man chosen, by God, to lead the Israelites out of bondage and slavery to Egypt. God had made a promise that He intended to keep and Moses was the man He wanted for the job.
Moses was committed to these people. He spent 40 years leading them out of the wilderness. He listened to them whine and complain when they weren’t sure they could trust the Lord. He experienced many highs and quite a few lows. He helped them hear from the Lord and after he received it, he offered instruction so they could follow Him, obediently. In my opinion, he was everything a good, faithful, committed friend should be. We all need a Moses in our life to listen and pray for us when we whine and complain. To encourage our growth in the Lord so we too, can follow Him obediently. We need a Moses who will go through the highs and lows of life and be committed to helping us find our way out, when we end up lost within the wilderness. At one time or another, we all have moments when we need a Moses.
I needed a Moses a few years ago when I drove down to Syracuse to visit a friend who was recovering from surgery. As I have done many times before I pulled into the parking garage across the street from the hospital and walked to my destination. When I left my car, I tried very hard to observe every detail around me, so when I needed to find my way back, I would be able to do so without any difficulties. I lose my car in parking lots frequently. I parked the car, walked to my left, proceeded to the stairs, down three flights, out the door and across the street. After my visit, as I was walking to my car a friend called and as we chatted, I crossed the street, went to the stairs, up three flights to the right…and… there was no car. I walked back to the street and started again. Repeat. One, two, three times. I finally said to her; “I cannot find my car.” I also began to get a little nervous. I am not a big fan of wandering around a parking garage, alone. Then Pat called, so I hung up with her and began to explain to him that I was lost in this parking garage. He had me retrace my steps, several times, and finally I came to the conclusion that someone had stolen our car. That’s when I began to really panic. I prayed and panicked. I panicked and prayed. No matter what direction I walked, I could not find the car. That is when I cried. I’m talking the hyperventilating, slobbering, cannot catch a breath and get really ugly, cried. Very calmly Pat said; “This is what I want you to do. Was there anyone else at the hospital you knew?” Yes. “Well,” he said, “Call them and ask them to help you find your way.” Good idea, Pat! (The man is always is full of good ideas.) I called our Pastor, who was also visiting the same person I had been. He came out and first, gave me a hug, and assured me we would find the car. After listening to me explain what steps I took when I left my car, he walked with me… right back to the car. It was right where I had parked it; I was simply walking up a ramp, when I should have walked down it. I still do not understand how I got so confused and disoriented but no matter which way I turned, I could not find my way. I had gotten all worked up, which made matters even worse. There was no way I could figure out where I was, every door, every step, every exit all looked identical and I wasn’t sure of anything anymore. I just knew I needed help. I needed someone to be my Moses and help lead me out of the mess I was in.
Sometimes we find ourselves “stuck” in a situation in which we feel helpless and hopeless. It might be a job, depression, or maybe an abusive relationship. Maybe your marriage is stuck in a rut with little or no communication. Your relationship with your kids is damaged. You are nearing a financial crisis and you don’t know how to fix it. You might find yourself searching for the one thing that will make you happy. Far too often we get our minds stuck on thoughts like, “if I only were divorced, then I would be happy.” “Once my kids move out, then I will be happy.” “If I find a new job, then I will be happy.” The truth is, you can get each and every one of those and still not be happy. The key is finding someone who can help walk with us out to the Promised Land God has for us.
When we become disoriented and confused and can’t seem to figure out how to get our thoughts or our circumstances “unstuck” we need our Moses. Our “Moses” is the friend that you can trust to give you wise counsel when you can’t find your way out of a crisis. They are the friend who loves you enough to speak truth, even when it might hurt you to hear it. Your Moses is the friend that is there for you while you wander in the wilderness, helping you take each and every step, even if it takes 40 years. “A friend loves at all times. A brother is born to share troubles” (Proverbs 17:17). Yes, we all need a Moses and at times, we need to be a Moses to someone.
If you find yourself wandering in the wilderness, or a parking garage.....Who is your Moses?
Moses was committed to these people. He spent 40 years leading them out of the wilderness. He listened to them whine and complain when they weren’t sure they could trust the Lord. He experienced many highs and quite a few lows. He helped them hear from the Lord and after he received it, he offered instruction so they could follow Him, obediently. In my opinion, he was everything a good, faithful, committed friend should be. We all need a Moses in our life to listen and pray for us when we whine and complain. To encourage our growth in the Lord so we too, can follow Him obediently. We need a Moses who will go through the highs and lows of life and be committed to helping us find our way out, when we end up lost within the wilderness. At one time or another, we all have moments when we need a Moses.
I needed a Moses a few years ago when I drove down to Syracuse to visit a friend who was recovering from surgery. As I have done many times before I pulled into the parking garage across the street from the hospital and walked to my destination. When I left my car, I tried very hard to observe every detail around me, so when I needed to find my way back, I would be able to do so without any difficulties. I lose my car in parking lots frequently. I parked the car, walked to my left, proceeded to the stairs, down three flights, out the door and across the street. After my visit, as I was walking to my car a friend called and as we chatted, I crossed the street, went to the stairs, up three flights to the right…and… there was no car. I walked back to the street and started again. Repeat. One, two, three times. I finally said to her; “I cannot find my car.” I also began to get a little nervous. I am not a big fan of wandering around a parking garage, alone. Then Pat called, so I hung up with her and began to explain to him that I was lost in this parking garage. He had me retrace my steps, several times, and finally I came to the conclusion that someone had stolen our car. That’s when I began to really panic. I prayed and panicked. I panicked and prayed. No matter what direction I walked, I could not find the car. That is when I cried. I’m talking the hyperventilating, slobbering, cannot catch a breath and get really ugly, cried. Very calmly Pat said; “This is what I want you to do. Was there anyone else at the hospital you knew?” Yes. “Well,” he said, “Call them and ask them to help you find your way.” Good idea, Pat! (The man is always is full of good ideas.) I called our Pastor, who was also visiting the same person I had been. He came out and first, gave me a hug, and assured me we would find the car. After listening to me explain what steps I took when I left my car, he walked with me… right back to the car. It was right where I had parked it; I was simply walking up a ramp, when I should have walked down it. I still do not understand how I got so confused and disoriented but no matter which way I turned, I could not find my way. I had gotten all worked up, which made matters even worse. There was no way I could figure out where I was, every door, every step, every exit all looked identical and I wasn’t sure of anything anymore. I just knew I needed help. I needed someone to be my Moses and help lead me out of the mess I was in.
Sometimes we find ourselves “stuck” in a situation in which we feel helpless and hopeless. It might be a job, depression, or maybe an abusive relationship. Maybe your marriage is stuck in a rut with little or no communication. Your relationship with your kids is damaged. You are nearing a financial crisis and you don’t know how to fix it. You might find yourself searching for the one thing that will make you happy. Far too often we get our minds stuck on thoughts like, “if I only were divorced, then I would be happy.” “Once my kids move out, then I will be happy.” “If I find a new job, then I will be happy.” The truth is, you can get each and every one of those and still not be happy. The key is finding someone who can help walk with us out to the Promised Land God has for us.
When we become disoriented and confused and can’t seem to figure out how to get our thoughts or our circumstances “unstuck” we need our Moses. Our “Moses” is the friend that you can trust to give you wise counsel when you can’t find your way out of a crisis. They are the friend who loves you enough to speak truth, even when it might hurt you to hear it. Your Moses is the friend that is there for you while you wander in the wilderness, helping you take each and every step, even if it takes 40 years. “A friend loves at all times. A brother is born to share troubles” (Proverbs 17:17). Yes, we all need a Moses and at times, we need to be a Moses to someone.
If you find yourself wandering in the wilderness, or a parking garage.....Who is your Moses?
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