"Let Sleeping Dogs Lie"

Exodus 1-2

Years in another land with no apparent interaction worth recording. Then, once a new Pharaoh comes aboard, and the burden becomes too much the cry goes out. A series of events are set in motion that begins a new chapter in the history of God’s people. After almost 80 years under the thumb of another god, they will now begin to see what it takes to follow their God!

Perhaps it is not always good to call certain issues to God’s remembrance. (Ex. 2:24-25) As the saying goes, it is sometimes best to “let sleeping dogs lie.” It is in my nature most of the time to be unsure, dissatisfied, and often disoriented with my current situation or “plight” as I am most oft to refer to it. I don’t know why that is. Perhaps my brain is hard-wired that way. Perhaps I choose to live in that confusion because it suits me. Perhaps I like the turmoil because it handicaps me from doing anything significant and taking personal responsibility for it. I am truly not certain. What I do know is that it is consuming.

In truth, the current state of affairs may not be all that bad. Compared to what may be ahead, what I am experiencing might indeed be purely delightful. However, I don’t know that, do I? Should I expect that perhaps God has something better for me? That He has some grander purpose or design for this pitiful person. When in fact, what I am doing now may be the
best there is. Indeed, all there is. I have heard it said that, “Even kings dream of different occupations!” If so, what might those occupations be, Plumber, IT technician, Pharmacist, Lawyer, Mechanic? Just exactly what would a king dream of being if they were not the king? I find that whole notion rather preposterous. That is like saying Donald Trump dreams of being a Bell Hop at Motel 6.

If my soul is being stirred to greater things, perhaps the only thing it should be directed to is knowing Christ and him crucified. That is all. However, can I be satisfied with that? I know I must – I know that is the right and proper thing – I know that is what God prefers, even expects --- but would that be enough?

Many of you, who have been on this journey longer and with more faithfulness than I, no doubt scoff at such questions or ramblings. That is fine. You have most likely never dealt with the darkness of depression, or been on the edge of self-destruction, or looked down the barrel of despair and wondered what the “hell” is all of this about anyway?
You may have thought there were times when God had left you but it is
unlikely that you had ever felt that kind of loneliness and abandonment so deep
in your soul that you could not look another clock in the face and see its
hands tick past the “witching hour” one more time.

Yes, there are times when it may be best to let God be. To not call His memory to what once was, or what He had once said, or promised, or committed Himself to fulfilling. As though He could forget – and that may not be the issue so much as not stirring Him to action. Is that to say, Israel was better off under the oppression of Egypt. They obviously thought so once they began to experience the alternative (Ex. 14:10). Nevertheless, it was no longer a “deal or no deal” situation. They may have hoped for that, but there was not an option of taking their lumps and going back. They had to move forward.

It is true in my case. I cannot go back. There would be no chance of survival. I could not manage the consequences of that. To which one might say, that is a pitiful motive for moving forward. To which I would reply, no more pitiful than self-serving pastors who want nothing more than
recognition or reward; or self-serving pew mongers who do nothing more than place a butt in the pew in hopes to be seen by “men” and gain some type of status, or acclaim. I contend that mine is one of survival, theirs is one of sanctimonious dribble. I’m willing to confess mine, they choose to disguise theirs. Is one better than another, not likely. The only difference, I do not have enough gold to make a calf, they most likely do.

Might there be a conclusion to this? I suspect there will be one day. It will not be today. For I press forward. Ashamed, confused, disoriented at times, bewildered by it all; perplexed and often jealous of those who have this all under control and on their quiet little journey toward sanctification. I expect they know or at least have learned, “it is not good a sleeping hound to wake”.

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