“God made us uniquely in his image, and he doesn’t desire for us to mindlessly lift heavy bricks and break our backs all day long. Jesus didn’t come so that we might continue carrying burdens. He came that we might have life to the full and that we might find rest in him. He did not create us to labor in vain but to work according to his high call.”- Meredith McDaniel
Meredith McDaniel concludes Chapter 4 of In Want + Plenty as she notes two things that enslaved the Israelites in Egypt:
- the power of Pharaoh
- the daily trauma of their forced labor
As a result, the Israelites longed for escape, ached for something more. Subconsciously, they settled for less. Because their harsh enslavement blinded them to the reality that they could experience more. And it never dawned on them that a richness existed to tap into. Simply through leaning on God, they could choose to take hold of a different way of life. Even while working the daily grind.
Therefore, Meredith shares her greatest hope:
“My greatest hope is that together we will learn to wake up and shift our lens so that our vision will come into focus and we will truly live. Life . . . should be as joyous as driving on a country road with the windows down, the music blaring, and the wind whipping through our hair. We can experience joy even while, or especially while, we work everyday. When we step into our calling, joy follows.
Sometimes waking up requires us to zoom out of our own story to see God’s bigger story. . . . But first we have to see. We must uncover the patterns and find what’s paralyzing us. It’s all manna — God provides his vision so we can see again and realize our true identity.”
Finally, Meredith stresses, prepare your heart and mind for what unfolds – expected and unexpected. Above all, hold on tight for any emotions or past events that rise to the surface. As you take the risk of stepping into the unknown to be known, you find full life!
Today’s question: When are you prone to mindlessly lift heavy bricks? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Deliverance stories- God uses them”
