SERVING SIX ONE

Did you ever think about Moses’ rod? You know the one he held up when the Red Sea parted.  The one that he struck the rock with and water came forth, the one he threw down and it became  a serpent. The one that he touched the Nile with causing it to turn to blood. That rod. Did you  ever really think about it. It was just a rod. Just an ordinary stick that Moses used to poke, prod,  direct, and protect a bunch of sheep. It was just an ordinary rod, and would have remained an  ordinary rod if he had not obeyed the voice of God and let it go.

God asked Moses “What is that in your hand?” (Ex.4:2) to which Moses replied “A rod.” Now of  course God knew what it was, he just wanted to make sure Moses knew. But what happened  next is what is so profound. God told Moses to throw the rod down. To let it go. To give it to  Him. When Moses did the rod became a serpent and then of course that rod accompanied him  as he led the children of Israel out of Egypt. A simple man, with a simple rod, doing miraculous things because of a willingness to let go and let God!

You know, there are things right now that you are holding that God wants to use. Little things that could be great when touched by God’s power. So, what do you have that the Almighty could use? Are you willing to let it go? Are you willing to trust Him with it?

Just as there are things you are holding that God can use if you give them to Him, there are also things you are holding onto that God wants you to let go of . Things that are keeping you from following after God. Things that are keeping you from hearing Him, trusting Him, and knowing His will for your life. Are you holding on to something that is affecting your relationship with God? Something that is keeping you from the blessings God has for your life? Is it a relationship, a hurt, a fear, a grudge? What is that you may be refusing to let go of because it is familiar to you, something that you are used to carrying around with you for so long that you have become attached to it?

God is saying “Let it Go”. Let go of the past so the past will let go of you. Then and only then will you be able to live and enjoy the fullness of what God has for your life.

So, what are you holding on to? Do you have talents, ideas, dreams, abilities, thoughts, or desires that God could be using for His glory? Or do you have bitterness, unforgiveness, secrets, broken dreams, or spiritual ties with people that you know needs to be severed? God says Let it Go! The choice is yours, and so are the repercussions.

So many times I have read about the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness moaning and complaining to Moses and Aaron. Every time I have read about that I was both amazed, confused and sometimes downright annoyed that God did not just zap them right then and there and be done with them. I mean think about it. Here you have this group of people that cried out to God for deliverance. God sent Moses. He plagued the Egyptians that enslaved them. He gave them favor, delivered them from bondage and set them free. Then He opens the Red Sea, and swallows up and totally destroys their enemies.

From then on, He gives them water, feeds them honey cakes, then gives them meat that they did not even have to go and hunt and they still complain. He constantly saves them from the hands of their enemies and still they complain. One day, I asked God why He put up with them. I, in my arrogant, self-righteous state of mind, sat judging these ungrateful bunch of whiners until God quickly humbled me. He spoke and said that I was no different. He supplies my food, my drink, my clothing, my shelter from the storm. He gives me good health which I seem to always take for granted. He makes the sun shine on me in the morning and the moon by night. He provides exceedingly, abundantly more than many in this world have and yet I complain.

I complain when it’s too hot, or too cold. Yet there are so many in this world that live in the heat or have no shelter from the cold. I complain when my hair won’t fix just right. However, there are some that do not have hair left because it fell out due to chemotherapy. I complain when the red light is taking too long, when maybe I am being kept from a wreck down the road. I complain when my husband leaves stuff lying on the floor, when there are those who no longer have their spouses to pick up after. I complain when the house is dirty, when some have no home to get dirty. I complain when I can’t find something to wear, when in reality my closet is full and there are those that don’t have even a shirt of their own. Get the picture? Yeah, well I am not the only whining brat. I bet you do your share as well.

We complain so much, but how often are we thankful? Seriously, how many times do we just fill a day up with nothing but thanks for what we do have. Eyes to see, hands, feet, kids, husbands, wives, parents, houses, cars, computers, food, clothes, money, jobs, freedom. Hello? The list is unending. How about the air we breathe? Or the fact that we woke up this morning? that our family is alive? We take everything for granted and yet God is kind, loving, merciful and oh so very patient!!!! Wow, we serve an amazing, incredible God.

So, before you utter your next complaint. Before you get aggravated because something didn’t suit your fancy or go your way, STOP! Stop and thank the God who thought enough of you to form you to begin with. Thank Him that you were able to get up this morning, that your family is alive, that you have eyes to be able to read this blog post. Thank Him for everything and anything you can possible think of, especially for His patience in dealing with us. What an awesome Father we have!!