Author: Lady Jaynes Reckonings

No matter ones feelings about the bible, there are lessons to be learned, and disciplines to be applied.

An account in the book of Exodus finds Moses’ people grumbling at their accommodations while traveling in a wilderness. They had rebelled and turned away from God. Yet when they were hungry and thirsty complain to Moses and God, in anger. Life isn’t fair!

Moses feels responsible and pleas to God, asking for food and water. He is then instructed, by God, to strike his staff on a rock and water would flow.

Did they deserve another intervention-another miracle? Well, the folks who drank from this streaming rock had already been rescued from slavery, through a parted sea! They showed no gratitude and continued to worship other gods-idols. The result of a rebellious attitude left them dissatisfied, demanding, disrespectful and disloyal to the Creator of all. Boy-oh-boy, if we saw such a miracle would we not believe in that God?   

Being wishy-washy in who we follow, we settle into a spiritual sickness that cannot be self-diagnosed, as a symptom of this disease is spiritual blindness. So naturally with out a Higher Power, feelings of being cheated and dissatisfaction will go hand in hand with this disease. 

The shadow of death entices us to desire things that will lead us away from the sustaining power of our Creator. The very things we are enticed to desire turn against us. Allow me to take you back to one of my journeys in the wilderness.

Finding myself in jail due to dealing drugs and firearms. I grumbled and minimized the crime I committed and was angry that I could not see my kids and life was empty without them. Had I not forfeited that right? Didn’t I set things in motion? Wasn’t this a consequence of crime? After feeling sorry for myself, I then focused on needing bail and a ride home. Bail was posted my mother-in-law, my husband picked me up and he, the kids and I broke bond by leaving the state.

When we were arrested again my children were dragged again through children’s services as we were extradited back home. Did I see this reality then? No!! I was blinded by what I thought I needed to survive. When I was finally released, I got my children back. However, within days I left them with my mother so I could seek drink and drugs, my higher power at the time. Substances that had led me to this distruction still promised to take me back to oblivion: away from the harsh treatment I had experienced. I did not know this or that I was spiritually sick and distant from the God I said I believed in. I would hit a few bottoms before surrendering and admitting that I played a significant part in my problems. not know that meanwhile other men and women who were addicted or behind bars were being lead to a program of recovery that leads to a Higher Power. That others turned to God just by studying the bible alone in their cells. They are given assurance of forgiveness from their Creator, gain spiritual wealth and freedom in this life, and hope of eternity!

They were experiencing a change of heart and mind, the perception of cleanliness on the inside for the first time in their lives. They had moments of clarity and took responsibilty for their actions.

Outwardly, they may remain in a cell, in the wilderness, will still face consequences and yet these men and women are changed. Their burdens are being lifted. They are placed on a path out of their hell, no matter how rocky or tangled. Outsiders witness a difference in their eyes, a difference in their manner and speech, as they replace dishonesty for honesty.  

Which is easier to believe? That life is against us and sets us up for failure? Or that there is an active living God showing up, through a rock flowing with water or through modern-day miracles?