Clint Percefull
My car is what some may call a “clunker” or a “jalopy”. It was deemed a total loss almost a decade ago and numerous features no longer work, but it drives and gets me to where I need to be. However, I constantly have to fix things that go wrong with it. A few months back a certain part went out and I had the new one to replace it. I popped the hood and began to remove the old part. I struggled and struggled to free the old part and frustration mounted. I finally decided to call a friend who knew more about these things than I did and he agreed to come over and help with the repair.
As I waited I continued to try to free the stuck part and eventually I got so frustrated that I reverted to brute force. As you can probably guess, I broke it. I did not break the actual part, but I snapped a connection piece that was required for the new part! Had I only been patient I could have avoided more complications.
I can’t help but think back to the Israelites as they were escaping Egypt. They had fled and were now trapped between the pursuing army and the Red Sea. Many of them cried out and expressed frustration over leaving Egypt. However, it is what Moses said next that really resonates with me. He told the Israelites “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14).
Some times God requires us to move, to take steps where He is leading. Other times He wants us to get out of the way, to be still and let Him do the work. Often the time He wants us to be still is during our greatest times of need or life circumstances. I can only imagine how difficult and terrifying it would have been to stand on the shores of the Red Sea and watch as the Egyptian army approaches and just be still. However, when God is fighting our battles for us we know there is no safer place to be. Is God calling you to move or to be still?
- Clint