You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach, and you know it might not ever come your way. Dream it anyway. ~Martina McBride
Lately I’ve been reading the book of Exodus with new ears.
Beyond those ancient stories, the dusty desert murmurs, the dry-throated encounters with angels or enemies, a theme song soars:
Do It Anyway.
A nation in slavery. Their backs broken, bodies caked with Nile mud, chasing a quota they will never fill. Disposable labor for a Pharaoh with dreams of glory, and a heart-hardened rule. Billions of bricks baked, for no pay, to build monuments to his power.
And in the heavens? A pantheon of indifferent gods. And somewhere, a half-forgotten God who seems to be asleep while first-born sons are hunted. And midwives told to kill the very ones they’re trained to save.
What chance do we have? Our eyes tells us its true–we are too little, the odds are against us, the empires will crush us, the tyrants defeat us, the brick-walled obstructions allow no escape. Who are we to attempt the impossible, to follow burning-bush callings, to defy iron fists?
But there’s that song on the breeze, a tune we’ve forgotten,
Do It Anyway.
What’s stopping you? What walls tower before you? What tyrants and temptations drain away your dreams? Whose voice has you convinced to stay paralyzed and impotent, when another voice is calling you by name?
We never learn the Pharaoh’s name, but the midwives who refused to cower are remembered still today. The Egyptian Empire crumbled, the pantheon resigned; the slaves became the chosen ones, and
Moses, doubtful and disheartened, became a friend of God.
Because He Did It Anyway.
Exodus 1:15-17 Exodus 33:11
Are you facing a mountain of excuses and discouragement? Do It Anyway.
Marina McBride’s, Anyway
image credit: flickr-Tillman
16 replies on “Do It Anyway”
Thank, Janet – for a great celebration, despite the unlikely and the impossible. And the only reasons for hope – who He is. and who we now are in the light of His love for us.
Beautiful. Thanks, Martin!
Amen! Just what I needed to hear this morning to start the day. It is so easy to let the world dictate what we believe we can do and what is reasonable. Living and loving for God is not reasonable…
“Living and loving for God is not reasonable…” I love that, Mary Beth!
I love this Janet – thank you!
Since our meeting, these words have repeatedly offered me strength mixed with peace…all of His guiding light!!
Thanks for your inspiration, Laurie!
Once again, the voice of Eternity resonates through your words. I needed to hear that today. We are taught to value justice. Effort exerted should reap an equal reward. We are also taught that we serve a God who is just. So likewise, we put forth effort with expectation. Expectation that God will reward our effort according to our scale. But our scale is flawed. So what do we do? Do it anyway. Thank you Janet for the beautiful reminder.
Amen, Rebecca!
The “becoming” a true friend of God may take years .. But! It is so worth it to be beaten and refined struggling to work out our salvation! In faith taking our slaughtered hearts and lives to the foot of the cross .. And In Christ we are healed!
Yes, we are healed. Thank you, Ginny.
Janet, nicely said. Pastor Duncan has been taking our congregation on a magic carpet ride, months long now, through the dusty entrails of Egypt in Israel’s rear view mirror using this self same book. Some were baffled at first why he would choose this book, the white pages of one’s bible, instead of some lighter fare. Now, looking back in our own rear view mirror, the change this has wrought among us has been undeniable.
Do it anyway…preach from Exodus that is!
The Bible Jesus knew inside and out. Your people are blessed, Robert!
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Needed this one – more than you can know, Thanks Janet.
You are welcome!
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