The Flame Within

Full Circle Moment for the Israelites…

Exodus 12-16: Exodus is full of profound lessons, traumatic events, God’s provision… And praise.

Exodus 12 is the Passover and the be to detailed directions given to the Israelites to protect their first born people. As, the Lord was preparing to declare justice on the Egyptians to free the Israelites from captivity. The detailed (and may I add- seemingly odd and extremely specific directions)…followed by the blood of the Passover lamb being placed above the doorframe… The Lord passed over any home with blood over the doorframe. This was the absolute worst trauma the Egyptians ever endured… I am certain!

I find it amazing how God is showing his provision, care, and desire for obedience from his children throughout Exodus, and how he is the same with His children todays. He provides, longs to protect and care for the details of our lives, and desires us to obey him, as He knows our obedience to Him is the key to our living in true joy, peace, and victory.

Exodus 13: The Lord provides a pillar of cloud to guide them by day and a pillar of fire to guide them at night. God continues to lead, guide, and free the Israelites from captivity.

Today, God doesn’t send pillars of clouds and fire to guide us… but he sent the Holy Spirit who indwells our souls, and guides our lives moment by moment. He really is an all knowing, omnipotent, and loving Father.

Exodus 14: The Israelites are making their way to the land flowing with milk and honey. It doesn’t go smoothly and Moses reminds them “Do not be afraid! Stand firm and you will see the deliverance of the Lord. “. Moses stretched out his hand and the sea dried up and the Israelites were able to pass on dry ground. Wow!

Could it be the “land flowing with milk and honey” is an analogy for Heaven? (I am not a theologian and have never claimed to be… so please, no harsh judgments. I am just a girl interacting with God’s word and trying to draw closer to the Lord by reading and understanding his heart.). This was an actual journey for the Israelites and it was long, tedious, amazing, and filled with miracles and disappointments. Isn’t this how our lives are, day to day? A journey complete with amazing miracles, extreme disappointments, good days/ bad days, and feeling God sees us and cares about us, and when things get bad questioning where he is in our struggle? Thankful for the journey, as it’s a wonderful life, and I especially love how God always redeems the “hard” and uses it for good in our life. Always!

My favorite part… The full circle moment.

The Israelites were saved by the Lord and they praised, worshipped, and spoke specific ways the Lord provided for them, for an entire chapter. They sang to the Lord! They exhaled the Lord! This chapter gave me goosebumps, because I could connect with the “full circle healing” joy and praise feeling that was revealed through the power of the written text. Amen!

The Israelites experienced a powerful “full circle healing” moment and God must have felt pleased and joy-filled.

Do we pay attention enough to see the “full-circle” healing moments in our lives? Or, are we just running at full speed busy, busy, busy and never stop long enough to see God at work in our lives. Or, are we living with such anxiety or depression that we’re waking in a fog unable to see good in our midst? In our lives and around us? This was not God’s plan for our lives. He sent His son so we can live abundantly and to thrive in our lifelong journey.

Pay attention to the “full circle” healing moments in your life. These are the moments that make the tedious part of the journey joy filled and exciting.

Sadly, the Israelites praise was short lived, once they faced their next trials in Exodus 16 – they immediately began grumbling and complaining. Let us not quickly jump to judgement, as we too, are prone to quickly shift from full circle joy and praise, to swift and intense grumbling to God. It must be human nature. Ugh! Regardless, God still showed up and provided for them, gave them all they needed each and every day, they never went hungry. Wow! Such a powerful lesson to be learned in Exodus 15 & 16.

Let’s take this profound story of praise, swift grumbling, and God’s provision into consideration next time we find ourselves feeling God doesn’t care or isn’t meeting our needs.

Let’s pay attention to the “full-circle” healing moments in our lives… These are the moments in life that make the entire journey beautiful.

God is there! He is present! He cares!

We “Do Not Need to be Afraid!”

Blessings, Crystal Ridlon, MA, LPC