The Hubbell Pew

Maybe what is good about religion is playing that the Kingdom will come, until in the joy of your playing, the hope and the rhythm and comradeship and poignance and mystery of it – you start to see that the playing is itself the first-fruits of the Kingdom’s coming and of God’s presence within us and among us.—Frederick Buechner

Friday, February 29, 2008

Friday of the Third Week in Lent

As soon as the Israelites left Egypt, a reality hit them. Getting out of Egypt is one thing, getting Egypt out of you is another thing entirely. We read about this throughout Exodus. The water was not pure, there was no food, etc.

How many people do you know who have gotten out of a terrible situation, but can not get over it. A bad relationship or marriage, a codependent situation, an abusive situation, a failed career, the list is as long as we want to make it. I have friends who quit playing football 40 years ago, but still are playing. I have friends who were physically or verbally abused who finally got out, but still can’t get over the abuser. I certainly have my share of “Egypt's.”

We read Exodus to remind ourselves that although God got angry, displeased, and chastised Israel he did not abandon them. When the water was bitter, God provided pure water. When there was no food, God provided manna. Whatever the burden, God provides us with the means necessary to face life’s challenges.

Remember -- “ The Good Lord doesn’t give you a load you can’t toke.”

Webb

P.S. Words from the 8 year old philosophers:
Mom: Does God ever speak to you?
Jake: Sometimes, at night he talks to me.
Dad: What does he say?
Jake: Usually he just says to stop watching Sports Center and go back to sleep.

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