EXODUS 28, MATTHEW 25-26

 Tim Tebow said we should do something about human trafficking.  Jesus, today, talks about helping the poor.  

I used to be able to check off that box by volunteering and then working with the homeless.  Then, I quit that job and have not volunteered since.....anywhere.  I think the problem might have been that I was just checking off a box.

I know I should do something for the handicapped or less fortunate or the children who face grave situations.  And, yes, I do still sponsor kids from Compassion, but that's easy - money and a few letters.  There's just not anything that excites me, that I'm passionate about, that I care enough about to do something.

Some would say I've become selfish.  I would be included in that "some."  I email people about volunteer type stuff, but then when I think about the time and effort - no thanks!  All I really want to do is go to my job (and that's not really a want, it's more of a have to), come home, play some pickleball, and attend a few Raider games.  

I thought it would just be a phase.  I thought that after I quit the homeless shelter I would take a little time to "restore my soul", but it's been like four years.  And even as I'm writing this I'm torn.  I want to do something, but I don't want to do anything.  

EXODUS 26-27, MATTHEW 25

 Give me some oil?  Heck no, I am not giving you oil.  You are a grown adult, you knew this was coming.  You should have made your own oil.

This is going to be ore of a rant than a life lesson.  

I can't stand when people are not prepared.  If you are going to get something to eat, have an idea what you are going to order.  If you say you want to do something, have something in mind - with the time, place, and cost already figured out.  If you are going on a trip, know the hot spots and things you really want to see when you get there.

I know some people like to "live in the moment" and be spontaneous.  That's not me (ok, sometimes it's me), but if a virgin came up to me asking for some of the oil that they could have gotten on their own....

Hard "NO!"

Wait, that's the rant.  I hate it when people ask me to do something that they can do on their own!

EXODUS 21-23, MATTHEW 24

 Yesterday, we were having a talk in the car.  Actually, we had a lot of talks in the car - we were in there for about 9 hours!  But, one of them was about rules.  I said, "If everyone followed the rules, the world would be a much better place."  

Mychon replied, "But, who gets to make the rules?"

More on that later.

I sure am glad that we don't live in the time of Exodus (although, I feel like Jewish people may still have all those laws).  If your bull gores a person....If you are holding a goat for your neighbor and it goes missing....If you have sex with an animal......

So many laws.  So many things they had to remember.  They were trying to cover every situation, but there is no way you can.

That's why I am so glad that Jesus made it simpler.  Love God and love your neighbor.  That's it!  

So, first, God gets to make the laws.  And, second, if everyone did that, the world would be a much better place - some might even say perfect! 

EXODUS 17-19, MATTHEW 22-23

 I like it when you read something in the Old Testament and then there's a direct reference to the New Testament.  Today it was the Moses Seat.  

After the whole frogs, gnats, river drowning the Egyptian thing, Moses sits on a throne where everyone comes to bring their questions and disputes.  He is judge over everything.  He is a self-proclaimed interpreter of God's will.  That tradition must have gone on until Jesus' time because he says to do what the Pharisees say because they are in his seat.  The key word there is "they."

Here's the problem.  Even Jethro, thousands and thousands of years ago, realized this was not a good idea.  He suggested that Moses lets the people that are just standing around doing nothing, let them make some of the decisions.  So, he does.  

It is never good to have one person in charge of everything.  In the U.S. we call that checks and balances (probably other places too!).  But, whenever one person makes all the decisions, not only is it an enormous task for them, but there will inevitably be mistakes made - no one is perfect.

This is not a political rant.  This is more of a reminder to myself.  I love to be in the Moses seat and to make decisions for everyone.  But, I think I should listen to Jethro.  Let others take care of some of the stuff.  Get input from groups of people.  Make sure that it's not just my way or the highway!

EXODUS 15-17, MATTHEW 22

 I like when people follow my instructions and I get really angry when they don't.  I've often wondered why that is.  Disrespect is a big trigger for me.  Any kind - it gets me when people don't care about another person, property or me.  Now, in regards to me, I think that goes from a larger issue - not realizing how valuable I am and not recognizing the worth that I have as one of God's greatest creations.  But, why it bugs me when people disrespect other things, I don't know.

Maybe it's the rules of it all.  I just can't fathom how people blatantly do not follow rules.  It makes no sense to me.  Honestly, if everyone just did what they were supposed to - what a world this would be!

That's it!  That's why God gives the Israelites all these instructions and then says, "I want to see if they follow them."  (That's not the exact quote!).  He knows it too.  If everyone follows the rules, if everyone follows His instructions - bingo!  Great world!  Heaven on earth!

EXODUS 13-15, MATTHEW 21

 The Egyptians are coming and the Israelites are freaking out.  They think it's all over.  This is it - they are going to die in the dessert.  

But, then Moses says, "The Lord will fight for you.  You just need to be still."  

God is going to do everything.

Retirement? Check.  Kids and their jobs? Check.  What happens with buddy's love lives? Check.  Cars, houses, stuff that you need? Check.  Not getting treated fairly at work? Check.  

No matter what I can think of, God can handle it.  We just need to be still. (OK, we probably have to do something, but I think the point is clear.  It is a lot more on God and a lot less on us).

Kind of reassuring really.  Just be still.  Trust God.  He'll do the "fighting."

EXODUS 10-12, MATTHEW 20

 Is it true that there will be no shame for those who follow You?  I read that in the Psalms this morning.  I know the Psalms are not like direct teachings from You.  They are more like prayers from David, so it's not like You are saying there is no shame.

Shame - a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.

I guess there is no shame.  If we do something wrong we know that we have a God who will forgive us.  If we do something foolish we have a God who can make all things new. 

Have I been embarrassed? Yes!  Have I been humiliated?  At times!  But, I can not really remember a time that I have had a painful feeling because of it.  Honestly, I thought it was because I just don't care.  But, it might just be because I realize God is bigger than my mistakes.