"We were therefore buried
with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised
from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life"
(Rom 6:4).
When Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, he took them to the edge of
the Red Sea. The people saw the sea before them and heard the chariots of the
Egyptians behind them. They knew they were trapped - and they lost their faith
in God. They thought God was no longer at work in their lives. In panic and
despair, they turned on Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out into the
desert to die? When we were slaves in Egypt, didn't we tell you, 'Just leave us
alone and let us continue serving the Egyptians.' Better to live as slaves than
to die out here!"
They couldn't imagine that God's path to freedom actually led straight into
and through the deep waters! The waters of the Red Sea, like the New Testament
sacrament of baptism, are a symbol of death. When Moses parted the Red Sea, the
people of Israel walked upon the dry seabed with walls of water on either side.
They descended into the depths of the sea. They died to their old selves and
rose to a new life that led to the Promised Land.
Like the people of Israel in their journey, we panic and cry out to God, "Did
You bring me out into this desert of adversity to die?" We would rather live as
slaves than die to self and yield control of our lives to God. But God takes us
through the depths so that we can emerge as new people, ready to enter the
Promised Land.
In general, I've observed that the greater and higher the calling, the more
intense the adversity. I'm not saying one person's call is more important, but I
am saying it may have a more far reaching impact on others. This often requires
greater preparation.
If you find yourself in deep water, thank God today that He is preparing you
for a life that is designed to impact many.
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