Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. —Exodus 33:1-2 NIV
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. —Exodus 33:15 NIV
Writing a brief reflection on Exodus 33 is an exercise in discipline. The wealth of wisdom and symbolism contained in this chapter make it difficult to focus on only one idea. Yet it seems appropriate at this time to let this chapter provide guidance on how Godly people navigate a season of transition. I would suggest reading the entire chapter if you’re interested. The few highlights I’ve put here are useful, but they lose much of their impact when taken out of context.
PRAYING THROUGH TIMES OF TRANSITION
In Exodus 33:1-2, God gives the Jewish people a green light to go forward. They will finally get the land promised to their ancestors as a mighty angel goes before them in God’s place to ensure success on their journey.
Ten verses lye between God’s command for the people to move on and the response of their leader Moses. These verses show Moses leaving the camp to spend time face to face with God in the secret place of prayer. Yet he doesn’t focus his prayers on the command to go forward. Moses is much more interested in the presence of God remaining with them, and being allowed to grow in his knowledge of God’s nature and how he can love Him more.
I believe these verses reveal to us that seasons of Godly transition are much more a matter of the heart than they are of circumstance. I’ve recently been blessed by two people who have displayed this truth with their lives.
GIVING UP THE GOOD TO SEEK THE BEST
My friend Karen Sergey was badly injured at work. The injury has affected every area of her life, resulting in great loss. Rather than spin around her circumstances, Karen chose to seek God’s face with a laser focus.
Recently Karen gave up a leadership position on the church’s prayer team, one that she held and executed with excellence for many years. Karen did this not because she was feeling overwhelmed. She sensed in her heart that this is a time for her to grow in knowing God, setting aside even good things in order to have what’s best.
CALIBRATING THE HEART FOR A NEW SEASON
Pastor Brian Mowery was given a significant promotion in the church. That would tempt most people to throw themselves into work, with all energy and focus on the job at hand. Instead, he took a step back to calibrate his heart to what is most important by taking a sabbatical.
We are in a time of transition as a church family. Our temptation will be to focus on what’s next. To forge ahead into the great things God has for us. Moses reminds us that transition really is a matter of the heart. Growing in our knowledge of God and in our love for Him is the most important priority at a time like this.
YOUR PRAYER LIFE IMPACTS THOSE AROUND YOU
Moses desired to know and love God, and his pursuit became intercession for his nation. As a result of the desires of Moses’ heart, the presence of God remained with them throughout the journey. When we grow in our relationship with God, not only does it change us, but everything around us is impacted as well.
In this season of transition, each one of us can grow to know God like never before. But we, like Moses, must enter our own secret place to seek His face and listen for His heart. The good news is that God is already waiting for us there.
HONORING GODLY LEADERSHIP IN TRANSITION
Lastly, let’s pray great blessings over Clive and Ruth Calver as they enter their next chapter in Christ and move to a new place to continue doing the good works God has prepared for them. We are so grateful for the way they’ve poured out their hearts and lives over the past eleven years on our behalf. May the presence of God go with them.
Our God Hears,
Joe Halpin
