• Feb. 8, 2009
Painting Pictures of Egypt

This morning's sermon was based in Exodus 16.  During the course of the sermon our pastor mentioned that the fact that the Israelites began to complain about not having food and they began to glorify their time in Egypt saying they had sat aroung 'pots full of meat.'  He went on to point out the fact that we do that often, glance back over the past and glaze over the tough times remembering and embellishing the good. 

That is so true.  It is so easy to think back, especially if your current situation is a hard one, and remember only the good times.  It is tempting in hard times to want to go back to the 'good old days'.  In the case of the Israelites, God knew that they would try to go back as soon as the going got tough, so He made it impossible, taking them on a longer route out of Egypt and ultimately through the Red Sea.  I believe God does that in our lives too.  He lovingly places barriers in our lives to keep us from running back into slavery. 

One of my favorite songs by Sara Groves is about this very thing.  Here are the Lyrics:

Painting Pictures of Egypt

• I don't want to leave here, I don't want to stay.
  It feels like pinching to me either way.
  And the places I long for the most are the places where I've been. 
  They are calling out to me, like a long lost friend.
• It's not about losing faith, it's not about trust.
  It's more about comfortable, when you move so much.
  And the place I was wasn't perfect but I had found a way to live. 
  And it wasnt' milk and honey but then neither is this.
• (Chorus) I've been painting pictures of Egypt, leaving out what it lacked. 
  Cause the future feels so hard and I want to go back. 
  But the places that used to fit me, cannot hold the things I've learned. 
  And those roads were closed off to me, while my back was turned.
• The past is tangible, I know it by heart. 
  Familiar things are never easy to discard. 
  I was dying for some freedom but now I hesitate to go. 
  I am caught between the Promise and the things I know.
• (Chorus) I've been painting pictures of Egypt, leaving out what it lacked. 
  Cause the future feels so hard and I want to go back. 
  But the places that used to fit me, cannot hold the things I've learned. 
  And those roads were closed off to me, while my back was turned.
• If it comes to quick, I may not appreciate it. 
  Is that the reason behind all this time and sand. 
  If it comes to quick, I may not recognize it. 
  Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?

(Post A Comment!)

Comments