Dry Ground

Have you ever been over you head? Or, perhaps more accurately, when was the last time you were in over your head?

There is a common platitude that is pawned off as biblical. “God will never give you more than you can handle.” It sounds Jesus-y, right? The problem is it isn’t. This is one of those feel good statements that is meant to encourage you in the midst of a storm. A kind sentiment to help when you are in over your head. But it just isn’t true. I can’t handle the challenges in my life. I can’t even handle the good things in my life. And neither can you. The truth is, you are in over your head with just about everything you face.

The promise of God is not that you will overcome. His goodness is not that you can muster the strength in the midst of impossible odds. The promise of Jesus is that He doesn’t walk out when you can’t handle it. When life is out of control, He doesn’t leave. When you break—He is there to break your fall. And, when you are in over your head—that’s when the Lord just starts showing off.

The nation of Israel was fleeing from Pharaoh. The plagues, the shackles, the bricks—they were leaving it all behind. “Let my people go!” The Israelites tasted freedom. Then they came to the sea. With Pharaoh at their back and the sea before them it was the proverbial rock and a hard place. You know the story, Moses prays. God responds. The sea splits. Israel is saved through the water.

Have you ever wondered who was the first one to step foot into the sea? How did it play out? Yesterday I misspoke during the 9:00 worship service at Prince of Peace… so, here is the corrected version. It comes from the Midrash--which are ancient rabbinical teachings. They are not scripture, but they are commentaries and expended stories that color the picture of what God has been doing since the dawn of time.

As the Israelites came to the shoreline of the Red Sea, the situation was dire. With nothing but water in front of them and a vengeful army behind them—there was not easy solution. Israel grumbled against Moses. So he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord gave the orders. Stretch out your staff over the waters and my people will be saved from the midst of the sea.

This is where the madrash takes over. Moses prayed. The staff hovered over the sea. Nothing happened. No miracle. No movement. No dry ground. And, as you might suspect, nobody moved. Nobody was about to jump in the water and try to swim to their freedom.

Nobody except Nahson.

Everyone got the same order—move into the sea and watch God work. Nobody moved but Nahson. His toes were in. Nothing happened. He was knee deep. Nothing happened. Up to his waist. Nothing happened. To his shoulders—nothing happened. It was not until the water was above Nahson’s head that the Lord worked, the wind drove back the water, and a wall formed on the east and on the west.

Nahson couldn’t handle it. He was in over his head. And here is where God started to work. Mightily!

Who is Nahson? He is one of the leaders and heads of the tribe of Judah. His descendants include Boaz and king David. And his name is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew 1. His name means “stormy sea waves.”

There is much to learn from Nahson. But I think one of the lessons is simply this—maybe keeping your head above water isn’t always the goal. Playing it safe ought not be the number one core value in your life. Don’t take unnecessary risks, sure. But, choosing a life where you can “handle” things may not be God’s calling.

I’m convinced that living into God’s call on your life leads you to run into the waves sometimes. It is making big and bold moves, being willing to risk being laughed at, and certainly it means going deep enough that you may sink or you may swim.

It’s a call to love first and to love big. It is nurturing peace when all there is is turmoil. Running into the sea means cultivating joy when sorrow surrounds you. It means jumping in with both feet before you’ve tested the waters.

Regardless of how this principle of faith is lived out for you, I am certain of this… If you run into the water like Nahson or if you stay on the shore with your floaty, it is never about whether you can handle it or not. You can’t. You never could and you never will. But… He can handle it. Jesus can handle all of it. Always. And He will be there to help you swim. Like he did for Peter on the water. Or, maybe, he’ll clear the way for some dry ground like Nahson and the rest of the people of Israel. So, it’s time to get moving. Together.