After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites were eyewitness to one of the most amazing yet horrifying events in all of history. As the Egyptian army was engulfed by the sea in Exodus 14, one might think Israel’s faith would never waver for the rest of their earthly lives. However, a trip to the promised land which should have taken a few weeks on foot, ended up lasting 40 years.
At the beginning of 2012, I felt like the Israelites, being an eyewitness to several miracles in my 10 years of Christian Education as an Upper School Bible teacher. While not perfect, I believed God was using my gifts and talents in the ideal place, according to His will. One and a half days into this new year, waves of change engulfed me, flipping my world upside down. Although, I survived this tidal wave of being let go, I have been dazed, mangled and left gasping for air.
For those who know me, I hate getting lost, especially when I receive bad directions from someone who doesn’t have a clue to where I need to go. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus uses the imagery of 2 roads, one which is clear, paved and heavily traveled whereas the other is barren, not always marked and hard to follow at times. Its hard to argue with the crowd walking on the road to self gratification, but I can’t forget what I have seen on this less traveled road.
As I have spent nearly one month now unemployed, I am entering new ground, a territory I am not familiar with nor do I long to remain. Walking in the Wilderness without a map isn’t fun. Nonetheless, somewhere along this road, you have to put aside what you think you know by putting your trust in the only One who knows your future. Jesus went into the wilderness to prepare Himself for God’s earthly ministry. My prayer is that I experience this wilderness period, I will walk into my next job as a changed man.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 