Through the Middle

 "Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground." Exodus 14:16

Chronic illness is a wilderness journey that takes us to places we've never encountered before. Whether it is facing a diagnosis, or waiting months or years to finally get a diagnosis; whether facing the difficulties of new treatment or new strict diet or the side effects of new medicine; whether it is facing a new life style or old, old demons from the past, this journey will at some point bring us to the place where it looks like we cannot take one more step forward.

When Moses and the Israelites came up against the Red Sea with the Egyptians behind them, many folks (probably more in the back of the line closer to the Egyptians :-) )  started to panic. Moses had some experience with God asking unexpected things (See Exodus 4- You want me to do what?  I'm not a good speaker! {my paraphrase}). Instead of panicking, Moses looked to God to lead the way--and God did, right through the middle of the sea.



'Red Sea' moments in our life can certainly bring a sense of panic, despair, frustration, anger, and a whole host of other feelings.  But that's not the only response available to us. Those 'Red Sea' moments can be an incredible opportunity to grow in faith. They are those times when the rubber hits the road, and we either move in a way that lives out our faith, or we don't.

As I say in the opening of this blog, this chronic illness journey can be a time of deeper, wider faith, a time of growth and amazing connection with God.  But that doesn't mean it will be a time of puppy kisses, snowflakes and giggles.  Growing in faith can be agonizing--as agonizing as the kernel of a seed bursting forth from its protective shell, or a butterfly wrestling to be free from its chrysalis.

Red Sea moments-- those times when what lies ahead of us seems too big, too overwhelming, too.. much-- those are opportunities when faith can grow by leaps and bounds.  Easier said than done, you say....

Well, yeah. Faith IS easier 'said' than 'done', but it is in the doing-- the living of our faith in the face of the obstacles that we see the depth, and wideness and power of God's grace in ways that others may not be so privileged to experience.

If you or someone you love is facing something where there seems to be no way forward, and going back is not an option-- a 'Red Sea' time--  be of good courage.  An opportunity lies before you.  Listen to God's direction, pray for the strength to follow where God would lead... it may very well be that strength, hope and new life lie right through the middle of what you face.

Lord God, we know and trust that you love us. Certain circumstances in our lives may make it hard for us to understand how you are acting sometimes, and we may find obstacles that we just want to go around and avoid altogether.  Give us love and support to surround us, and give us the ears to hear where you would have us go... even if it is right through the middle. Amen.