Moses didn’t even have time to realize what was happening. The events came like waves, crashing one after another after another after another.
One day, he’s living a quiet life as a shepherd.
Then comes the burning bush, the confrontation with Pharaoh, the plagues, the exodus from Egypt, and the journey through the wilderness.
In the span of just a few months, Moses has lost control of his time. There is so much going on that all he can do, from morning to evening, is react to all the responsibilities and projects he has taken upon himself.
Each responsibility and project can be viewed on its own as worthwhile and necessary. But added together, his lifestyle and daily routines have become unsustainable.
Thankfully, Jethro, his father-in-law, comes to visit. He notices what is happening, draws Moses’ attention to the issue, and proposes a way to better structure his life and responsibilities.
When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
—Exodus 18:14
Moses explains that this is simply the way things are now. It is his responsibility to ensure that the people are heard and given proper direction.
“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.”
—Exodus 18:17–18
Moses, if you don’t make changes and reorganize your life, not only will you burn yourself out, but you will also harm the people you are trying to help.
You can’t do this alone.
Like Moses, life sneaks up on us. We can find ourselves with daily routines filled with a variety of responsibilities, projects, and things to do. It becomes normal, and we become good at finding ways to justify the way things are.
Maybe this is you. You’ve somehow lost control. Maybe you read the last few posts about tasting and seeing the goodness of God, and you realize that, as much as you would like to, you simply don’t have the time.
There is too much to do!
Perhaps, like Moses, you could use an outside voice to help you see what is happening and suggest a better way forward.
I do know that Jesus has given us his Spirit, who may speak through that still, small voice, or through the wisdom of someone we trust.
What has he been whispering to you that you have not felt able to do anything about?
Take a moment today to step back and ask yourself:
What am I really accomplishing here?