The Red Sea Experience

“Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life, Where, in spite of all you can do, There is no way out, there is no way back, There is no other way but through? Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene Till the night of your fear is gone; He will send the wind, He will heap the floods, When He says to your soul, "Go on."

And His hand will lead you through-clear through--Ere the watery walls roll down, No foe can reach you, no wave can touch, No mightiest sea can drown; The tossing billows may rear their crests, Their foam at your feet may break, But over their bed you shall walk dry shod In the path that your Lord will make.

In the morning watch, 'beneath the lifted cloud, You shall see but the Lord alone, When He leads you on from the place of the sea To a land that you have not known; And your fears shall pass as your foes have passed, You shall be no more afraid; You shall sing His praise in a better place, A place that His hand has made”.--Annie Johnson Flint

One of the most life-changing concepts I’ve ever encountered is encapsulated in the sermon series by Lee Vendon entitled “All about Jesus” (more on this later). One particular illustration he uses seems very applicable to current life. Exodus 13 and 14 tells the story of the children of Israel, hotly pursued by the enemy army from behind, and facing a seemingly impassable Red Sea in front of them. There appeared to be no way of escape, no way out. But imagine if they had never come to this place. We might have never known what God was capable of, that He could make a way right through the middle of the sea!

A few weeks ago (after many months of searching and praying), I came to the conclusion that God had new plans in mind for me. Through various Bible passages I came to the solid conclusion that He was asking me to trust Him, and only Him, to provide for me and take care of me. So, I took my leap of faith and quit my job, in order to prepare myself for His next step, and to have some time to focus on the struggle to regain my health. So far He has chosen not to reveal the larger plan, but only each small piece as I have need. I feel like I’m at the Red Sea. I see no way to go forward, I can’t go back, and there seems no solution.

Yet there are times when I KNOW that He is providing. Like the other day. I started a list of things God would need to provide for me. The first item on the list was a plane ticket for my upcoming mission trip. A highlight of my year, I was pretty bummed about the possibility of not going, but just knew I didn’t have the funds. Well, the evening after I had started the list, a friend of mine sent me a message saying “Hey, do you want a ticket? Because I know someone who is offering you one”. Maybe it seems small, but in that instant I was sure of God’s provision. I really can’t figure out why I doubt, doubting doesn’t make any sense, but I do it far too often. I’m so thankful that God is  much bigger than my doubts and fears.

So, here I am facing the Red Sea. Can’t wait to see how God is going to make a path for me!