Rescued for a Purpose
“God's purpose in rescuing the Israelites was to build a relationship with them and claim them as His own people.”
Exodus 6:6-8 (NLT)
“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’”
Reflection
As a freelance designer, losing work during Covid added stress to an already stressful and uncertain time and the worry of not being able to financially support my family began to slowly creep into my mind. As a result of this fear, I contacted a company that had been a financial crutch for me throughout my years of being self-employed. I asked if I could take on a more prominent role in their company. I didn't pray or ask God for guidance in this decision; instead, I let fear drive me.
Unbeknownst to me initially, the Co-CEO of the company held a higher position within the Church of Scientology than even movie star Tom Cruise. What followed over the next two years of my working career was some of the most turbulent and soul-crushing work I had ever done as a freelancer. It pushed me to the brink of tears and anger, gradually leading me into a season of depression.
The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for 430 years when God told them, "I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt” (verse 6). Let that sink in: 430 years without knowing freedom, only pain and misery. Many of them likely had no idea who God was or whether this "supreme being" would actually rescue them. However, God had a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob promising them the land of Canaan and making them a great nation. God's purpose in rescuing the Israelites was to build a relationship with them and claim them as His own people. He wanted to be in relationship with them because He loved them and didn't want them to live in misery. He had something better in mind for them.
I can't count how many times I cried out to God during that time, begging and pleading for deliverance from that job. And God heard me. He didn't want me to remain in misery; He wanted something better for me. But I had to learn to trust Him and His timing. Two years are vastly different from 430, but misery is misery. It stinks.
Eventually, God freed me by providing a full-time job for me at The Tree. I didn’t pray for this job, only that God would free me. Now, I am doing His work and I can confidently say that I couldn't be happier.
Action Step
Embrace the idea that God’s timing of events may not align with your expectations, but there is a greater purpose unfolding. In a journal, write down whatever situations are taking hold of your heart and bring them to God. Your prayers don’t have to be long and eloquent. Sometimes I find the best prayers are when I just pray, “God please help me”… and then I wait.
Prayer
God, please help me understand that Your timing is not my timing. That whatever situation is taking captive of my heart and mind, You are bigger. Give me wisdom in any situation that needs to be made and help my fear not dictate the choices I make. Amen.
“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’”
Reflection
As a freelance designer, losing work during Covid added stress to an already stressful and uncertain time and the worry of not being able to financially support my family began to slowly creep into my mind. As a result of this fear, I contacted a company that had been a financial crutch for me throughout my years of being self-employed. I asked if I could take on a more prominent role in their company. I didn't pray or ask God for guidance in this decision; instead, I let fear drive me.
Unbeknownst to me initially, the Co-CEO of the company held a higher position within the Church of Scientology than even movie star Tom Cruise. What followed over the next two years of my working career was some of the most turbulent and soul-crushing work I had ever done as a freelancer. It pushed me to the brink of tears and anger, gradually leading me into a season of depression.
The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for 430 years when God told them, "I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt” (verse 6). Let that sink in: 430 years without knowing freedom, only pain and misery. Many of them likely had no idea who God was or whether this "supreme being" would actually rescue them. However, God had a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob promising them the land of Canaan and making them a great nation. God's purpose in rescuing the Israelites was to build a relationship with them and claim them as His own people. He wanted to be in relationship with them because He loved them and didn't want them to live in misery. He had something better in mind for them.
I can't count how many times I cried out to God during that time, begging and pleading for deliverance from that job. And God heard me. He didn't want me to remain in misery; He wanted something better for me. But I had to learn to trust Him and His timing. Two years are vastly different from 430, but misery is misery. It stinks.
Eventually, God freed me by providing a full-time job for me at The Tree. I didn’t pray for this job, only that God would free me. Now, I am doing His work and I can confidently say that I couldn't be happier.
Action Step
Embrace the idea that God’s timing of events may not align with your expectations, but there is a greater purpose unfolding. In a journal, write down whatever situations are taking hold of your heart and bring them to God. Your prayers don’t have to be long and eloquent. Sometimes I find the best prayers are when I just pray, “God please help me”… and then I wait.
Prayer
God, please help me understand that Your timing is not my timing. That whatever situation is taking captive of my heart and mind, You are bigger. Give me wisdom in any situation that needs to be made and help my fear not dictate the choices I make. Amen.
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