Is It Time to Get Moving?

You probably know the story of the Hebrews crossing the Red Sea after their escape from Egypt. You might have that scene from The Ten Commandments or The Prince of Egypt permanently stamped in your memory from when you were a kid.

What you may not remember—what I didn’t remember but noticed recently—is something the Lord says to Moses just before the epic miracle on the beach that day. Moses offers the people this rousing call to courage and faith:

“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

Stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today! I read that and think, ‘Yeah! That’s it! Sometimes you just have to put yourself in God’s hands and leave all the rescuing up to him.’

But then, in the next verse, the Lord speaks: “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” (14:15)

Moses told them, “stand still.” God said, ‘Why are you just standing there? Get moving!’

Sometimes you just have to put yourself in God’s hands and leave all the rescuing up to him. But this was not one of those times. This was one of those times when you need to get busy doing your part to see God’s purposes accomplished in the world. Even in a moment that demands a miracle, like the Red Sea crossing, you may have a part to play. Your efforts, however small they feel, may be a part of God’s solution. A critical part, even. The Lord could have evaporated every single drop of water in that sea, and it wouldn’t have done any good if the people hadn’t laced up their shoes and walked across.

Thomas More, a saint in the Catholic Church, once prayed, “The things, good Lord, that we pray for, give us the grace to labor for.” Praying and crying out to God are beyond valuable. Yet, you shouldn’t settle for prayer if God is sending you out as a laborer. When the Lord says “get moving,” it’s time to get up off your knees.

Think about the struggles you’re enduring, the dreams you’re concocting, and the needs you’re staring at right now. Are you standing still, watching for the Lord’s rescue, when you really ought to get moving? Don’t stop praying! But do start considering: how could I be a part of God’s solution?