The man answered, ‘Who put you in charge of us and made you judge? Are you planning to kill me, just as you killed that Egyptian?’ Exodus 2:14
This “Moses escapes from Egypt” section of the book of Exodus is one that I usually scan quickly. It’s short. It doesn’t seem to make that big of an impression- it’s just a transition. It’s not really referenced again later. But then again.
But then again, as I was reading this week, I recognized that this story is a story I’ve heard before- the one that goes “You have to hit rock bottom before you can go up.” The one that goes, “You have to lose your life before you can gain it back.”
Moses was put in a place of privilege. He grew up in a palace. He was privy to the most elite education system of the day. The world was at his fingertips. And man, this Moses had an agenda. Social justice was the name of his game. Liberation for all. He saw abuse and rolled up his sleeves. He fought for justice his way, to the best of his ability. But the thing is, when he did things his way- in his own strength and wisdom- hardship, blood, and isolation were the results. He in fact murdered a person in the name of justice. The people he was trying to save hated him and his adopted family had a warrant out for his arrest.
But isn’t that often how it is? I put on my best do-gooder face and try to fix people or fix situations to the best of my ability. But my abilities are actually quite unhelpful. At the end of the day people are madder at each other, I’m discouraged and I feel like there’s no point to doing anything.
That’s what Moses thought too. He went and plopped himself in Boondocks Nowheresville and worked as a sheepherder where he’d be sure not to mess anything up. He put his head down and ignored the plight of others.
But that wasn’t what God wanted either.
God is very interested in investing in the lives of others. God is very interested in us investing in the lives of others. But the thing is, if we try to play the deliverer on our own strength we will fail. Straight up. Things will be worse.
As soon as we step back, however, and acknowledge our helplessness, things happen. When we throw ourselves into doing what God wants, relying on His power and His wisdom, helping others almost becomes a ballet. Each twist and turn becomes purposeful and as we reflect on the day we can laugh and clap with delight, because beauty rises up out of the ashes.
