There will be challenges in 2023. Life is hard. Can we thrive and build resilience in the midst of a broken world? We are becoming hard-wired to live “comfortable” lives. We want our homes a comfortable 70 degrees in the winter and 68 degrees in the summer. We want our groceries door dashed, and our Starbucks waiting at the drive thru. But, when we enroll in seminary, take our first pastorate, or simply engage broken people, we find that life is challenging.
Oftentimes God will have us undertake a misogi that moves us into the uncomfortable to help us thrive in life. A misogi is an activity that challenges a person, and is hard, but reveals that God can see you through it. Moses’ story is a misogi that may teach us about life.
1) START. BUT REALIZE THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES
In the midst of difficulties, Moses was called to lead God’s people out of slavery (Exodus 3). Moses worked through his insecurities, and stepped into the uncomfortable. For many of us, adrenaline will propel us in a new endeavor. Like Moses, we have our challenges. Those challenges can come from external power (Pharaoh) or internal ones (the Israelites).
2) EMBRACE THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE CHALLENGE
In ministry, change is hard. Moving people to a healthy place is hard. And, people will gravitate to the comfortable before they embrace the unknown (Exodus 14:5-12). Moses experienced God guiding him through the challenges of leading people from slavery to freedom. In this, Moses learned that “God will help in his challenges” (Exodus 14:13-31).
3) LEAN INTO OTHERS TO SUCCEED IN THE CHALLENGE
Ministry drains a person. Even in success, there are challenges. Moses reveals challenges are best encountered when we surround ourselves with people who are honest and supportive. Moses needed Aaron and Ur to help him for Joshua to defeat the Amalekites (Ex 17:8-16). Moses also listened to those who offered wise counsel (Ex 18:1-16).
4) SETBACKS ARE A PATH FORWARD IN THE CHALLENGE
Moses was with God (Ex 32:1). But, the people were struggling with life, and seeking a path that was culturally easy (Ex 32:2-10). Moses implemented correctives mid-course, and shows setbacks can impede forward movement, but they also can reshape a better direction.
5) FLUIDITY IN THE CHALLENGE
Past success isn’t necessarily the key to future success. In the midst of dehydration (Ex 17:1-7), God instructs Moses to strike the rock for water. It worked. Then, in a similar situation (Numbers 17), Moses was instructed to “speak to the rock” for water. Instead of being fluid in God’s directions, Moses privileged the past for his present. This profoundly modified his future (Numbers 20:20).
6) ACCEPTANCE THAT THE END MAY NOT BE IDEALIZED
Due to a few mishaps in the challenge, Moses’ finish line experience is not the idealized finish. Moses did not make it into the land. But, in God’s grace, Moses was taken to the top of Mount Nebo and shown the land (Deuteronomy 34). Moses’ journey was over. He encountered many challenges in life. And was given the privilege of finishing his misogi.
Ministry is hard. Life will have challenges in 2023. We can let the challenges paralyze us, and make us quit. Or, we can train for challenges, and learn from Moses.