mealtimes on the Exodus road trip were every parents’ reality.

(if you’re not familiar with the story, read Exodus 16–18 to get an idea of what was going on.)

“manna, again?” “i don’t want quail. i want chicken nuggets and french fries.” (that last one was a very modern translation.)

moses had to listen to that every day. and it wasn’t just about meals. the man was stuck out in the desert with the largest group of complainers every assembled.

“why did God lead us out here to die?” (a little dramatic, don’t you think?)

“joseph’s tent is too close to mine.” (then move over!)

the israelites were quick to complain when God didn’t do what they wanted Him to do—despite the fact that He had parted a sea and provided “home delivery” of their meals every single morning and evening.

while they were busy complaining, they missed out on something awesome—the presence of God. while they were so focused on what they thought God should be doing, moses met with God face-to-face.

it’s easy to complain. life doesn’t always go the way we want it. people mess up our plans. money goes out much quicker than it comes in. someone always has more than we do.

but when we complain, it’s basically telling God He’s not doing such a good job, and that we think we can do better. it’s not very pretty, is it?

First Thessalonians tells us: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. giving thanks is a choice, and so is complaining.

when we’re tempted to complain about God, we have to choose to remind ourselves that maybe He knows a little better than we do about what’s going on (you think?). we have to choose not to daydream about all the things God should be doing in our lives or in other people’s. we have to choose not to whine (or as we sometimes call it, “vent”) to everyone around us or online when sometimes we just need to be quiet.

as hard as it sounds, sometimes we have to just let God be God and serve up whatever He wants—whether we like it or not. we have to trust that He knows what He’s doing—even if it’s not what we had in mind.

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image courtesy of flickr.com/creative commons