I'm just used to Egypt

I found myself relating to the Israelites in a whole new way this morning. Their story of wanting to return to Egypt hit close to home in a way that it never has before. I realized that when the Israelites were complaining to Moses and expressing their desire in returning to Egypt, they were not saying that slavery was a better way of life. What they were really expressing is that the Known seemed better than the Unknown at that point in their journey.

Despite how truly beautiful this new life on the other side of the Atlantic is... there are still so many unknowns. I found myself reminiscing of the various places I have lived and the seasons of life I was living during those times. I seemed to only think about the good things. The fruit that came from those seasons, the wisdom I gleaned, the character that grew... It must have been the same for the Israelites. They must have been thinking about their children growing, the laughter despite the hardship, the little that God gave them to survive such conditions seemed like wealth to them at that moment. At least when they were in Egypt they knew their purpose. Build the Kingdom of Pharaoh. It wasn't a great purpose, but it was still direction they didn't have to struggle to discover. Now they were in a foreign place, being led by a newbie, without a clear purpose or direction.

Yeah, I can relate to wanting to return to Egypt...

Father, help me to trust you amidst the unknown. I don't want to miss out on the land flowing with milk & honey for the land of Known. You promise to make the rough places smooth. To turn the darkness into light before me... and to never forsake me. You promise to lead me by ways I have not known. (Isaiah 42:16). I choose to trust you in this unknown.