“When people run out of food, they take to the streets and revolutions start.” In a conversation about world events, a young friend made this assertion. A brief review of history confirms his concern.
As Moses and Aaron mourned the loss of their sister, they led the people to a new place called Kadesh. Lacking water, the people quarreled with Moses. They missed the food of Egypt. Sometimes it is hard for leaders to know if they are leading a group or being chased out of town.
What do leaders do when they are attacked? Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before God. When people “take to the streets,” godly leaders fall to our knees. Thankfully, God had a solution. “Talk to the rock right in front of them and water will pour from it so they and the community can drink.” Moses and Aaron had seen God do so many miracles. But do you suppose they ever looked at each other and said, “Huh?”
Moses and Aaron obeyed, almost. They gathered the people, stood in front of the appointed rock, but instead of speaking, Moses smacked the rock with his staff. This probably looked more impressive. But it was a costly decision. His anger revealed his lack of trust in God. As a result, Moses did not get to lead the people into the land.
When I sit at my desk and face toward the south, I see my Moses corner. There is a painting of Moses on the wall, and other beautiful gifts which remind me of Moses. The Moses corner shows me that the story of our lives is so often determined not by how we start but by how we complete the journey. This makes me want to finish well.
Anxiety runs in groups of people as it does in other groups in nature. By anxiety I do not just mean fearfulness, but reactivity. It manifests in angry emails, controlling personalities and unkind words. Each time we encounter it, we decide whether to take that anxiety on ourselves or to obey God and offer leadership based on principles and values. Some time ago I said to my beloved Melanie, “If the whole world goes crazy, we do not have to go with them.” God makes a way of peace. If we listen for his voice today, he will point the way. Let’s not harden our hearts. Speak to Jesus, the Rock of our Salvation and see the rivers of living water flow from him through us to others. Let’s find our way through the wilderness of life, following Jesus, the Way. Together.
