“ We don ’ t enjoy storms , but they ’ re an essential part of a complete life , and the key to victory comes in the finding how to weather the storms of life in such a way that they don ’ t dislodge us from our secret life in God .“
19 – 20 ). And then it happened . A strong east wind started to steadily blow , turning the Red Sea into dry land before the very eyes of the Israelites . “ The waters were divided , and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground , with a wall of water on their right and on their left .” ( vv . 21 – 22 ). After the whole of Israel had passed through on dry ground , one motion of Moses ’ s outstretched hand over the sea , and the Lord enclosed it on top of the pursuing Egyptian army . “ And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians , the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant ” ( v . 31 ). See , not a sweet little bedtime story but a holy and terrifying exodus into a new season .
“ We don ’ t enjoy storms , but they ’ re an essential part of a complete life , and the key to victory comes in the finding how to weather the storms of life in such a way that they don ’ t dislodge us from our secret life in God .“
How do we as a people stand firm and let the Lord fight for us as we step into what is new ? How do we do this in a life-altering season that causes us to ask questions that may remain unanswered ? How do we trust that God will part the waters of our figurative Red Sea so that we can walk across on dry ground ?
While navigating multiple changes and transitions all at once , I happened to be in the midst of reading Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge . These two paragraphs were a revelatory word in this particular season for me , and I hope they will be for you too :
The only way through is to make a decision in advance that no matter how tough the slogging gets , we ’ re never going to give up on our pursuit of God . We ’ re going to abide in Christ no matter what . I ’ ll let you in on a secret : This kind of tenacious commitment to endurance will open the path to the most meaningful dimensions of relationship with the Lord .
Seasons not only break the monotony of sameness , they are necessary to productivity . Nothing can live in unbroken sunshine . Constant joy and happiness , with no clouds on the horizon , produces drought . Night is as important as day ; the sun must be followed by clouds and rain . Nonstop sunshine only creates a desert . We don ’ t enjoy storms , but they ’ re an essential part of a complete life , and the key to victory comes in the finding how to weather the storms of life in such a way that they don ’ t dislodge us from our secret life in God .
We need to decide in advance that we will commit to pursuing God no matter how difficult things get . Building on the Rock , on Jesus , is the only way to keep showing up , to persevere , and to make it through . I ’ ve talked to so many people — friends , loved ones , and family — who have made the choice not to
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