The End of the Sidewalk

 

At some point in life, most children threaten to run away. Their rationale is simple. Life did not turn out as they wished on that particular day, so they grabbed a suitcase or scooped up the essentials, which most likely included a beloved stuffed animal, a favorite blanket, and a few cookies from the cookie jar. Their mission is on until they reach the end of the sidewalk. What lies ahead? Suddenly, they realize that even with all their justifications, they are alone in this venture if they leave. With a few thoughts, they decide it is best to wait until morning; after all, it will be dark soon. Sound familiar? Maybe yes or no, but regardless of the side you are on, sometimes life is just hard, and the most logical action we can think of is to escape, but such a thought is short-lived. We reach the end of the sidewalk and consider a lot of things: darkness, danger, uncertainty, and the possibility there may be a better way. 

We all have those moments when we are coming to the end of familiarity and do not know which way to turn. Such a problem is not new. It has plagued the ancients and continues to do so today. Moses is an example of one of God's handpicked servants who had an end-of-the-sidewalk moment more than once. He ran after killing an Egyptian in anger when the Lord told him to go back to Egypt and deliver the Israelites from the challenging labor conditions they were under as enslaved people. Moses was in quite a predicament. He was considered a criminal, and now God was asking him to go back and publicly speak for the Israelites and their need for freedom. 

One would think if God said to let the people go, then the pharaoh would give them up, but nothing of the like happened; instead, Moses and his brother Aaron went through periods of great conflict,  doubt, and danger, not clearly seeing the path God had already provided. They questioned, got angry, and almost gave up what faith they had more than once as they attempted to carry out the Lord's orders to free his people. With each obstacle, just at the right time, God gave them enough faith to take the next step. 

Friend, those end-of-the-sidewalk moments in life when it would be so much easier to turn around, give up, and wait for better times are often our most significant opportunities to take that next step in faith, trusting that just as God used Moses despite all his flaws, He is waiting for you to join Him to experience your part in His great plan. The end of the sidewalk is just that - it's taking the step of coming to the end of ourselves no matter how unsure we are or how faltering our steps may be. It's the beginning of all that God has already planned for us to join in His work if we are willing to go just one step beyond the end of the sidewalk. 

God Promises:

I will bring you out.

I will free you.

I will redeem you.

I will take you as my own.

I will be your God.

I will bring you to the land.

I will give it to you.

Exodus 6:12

These are comforting words to remember at those end-of-the-sidewalk experiences of life.