Draw Nearer
Who do you want to be on the journey to liberation?
Exodus 16:9-12
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites: ‘Draw near to God, for God has heard your complaining.’ ” And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of God appeared in the cloud. God spoke to Moses, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am your God.’”
Imagine what it is like to be leading a whole congregation to liberation who in turn complain about you and blame you for how hard the journey is. And who claim that slavery was a better experience than your leadership.
Ouch.
Some church leaders don’t require much imagination here.
Imagine being the people complaining and blaming this leader only to be told, “draw nearer.” Instead of pushing away or pushing the leader out, reconnect, get close, journey together, trust each other.
We have a hard time trusting each other, expecting the best in one another, and lovingly calling one another in when we miss the mark or cause harm. If we are honest, a lot of us have an even harder time trusting God.
It is in this turning towards one another, towards God—the indwelling Spirit embodied in all of God’s creation, that God provides for our needs. And it is through God that we provide for each other’s needs.
Where do you see yourself in this story? Who do you want to be on the journey to liberation? What is one thing you can try to move closer to who and how you want to be on the journey?