Where's My Red Sea?

This morning, my scripture reading was the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt and all of the plagues visited upon the Egyptians by God through Moses. I read the story in awe, as usual, trying to picture each unfolding plague. It's hard to do when you are a modern woman who hasn't ever even seen a locust, let alone millions of them. I've never been in a desert, or seen a hissop branch or slaughtered a lamb. So it can be tough to picture in my mind's eye.

So I get to the part about the Israelites finding the stream of bitter water and their complaining. In my self righteousness I'm thinking, geez, these are some unbelievable people! The Lord just did all these amazing things for them including parting the Red Sea! Why can't they just figure out that He is going to make sure they get to their destination? How dumb can they be, right?

Ah, that's when the Lord laughs at me. I might not have a Red Sea in a literal sense, but I've certainly survived my share of debacles and tragedies because the Lord was there to care for me and lead me to safety. I've got Red Seas all through my life and yet, and yet, I continue to doubt the Lord's ability to steer me safely through the next speed bump.

Because let's face it, I have had difficulties in my life and I've even lost loved ones. But I've never had an army chasing me through the desert. I've never had to flee with the clothes on my back. I'm blessed beyond my ability to imagine. But I still try to take control of situations that start to go south without stopping to realize that the Lord is already in control.

My Red Seas dot the landscape of my life and I'm certain there will be plenty more before I leave my earthly body. I just have to try to remember that the Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, the Creator and the Almighty, God of Hosts and Maker of the Universe is already on the case.