As the Israelites spent those forty years wandering in the desert, they did their share of whining and complaining. They complained of hunger and God provided manna for them to eat.
But the Israelites cried again and said, Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for free, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. Now our lives are wasting away. There is nothing but manna in front of us. Numbers 11:4-6
The Israelites were in the wilderness somewhere between Egypt and the Promised Land after Moses had freed them from slavery. These times were tough and the Israelites did a lot of complaining. Through the whining the Israelites could not see the beauty of the manna. They could not see that God had provided for them. They only could see how it used to be.
We like the Israelites are also in the wilderness. Somewhere between the “old norm” and the “new norm”. We too have voiced our complaints of being stuck in our homes, wanting human, face-to-face contact. We have complained how our glasses fog up when we wear our masks. We cannot go to our beaches, parks, or our favorite restaurants.
The familiarity of the “old norm” brings us comfort, so it makes sense that we look to the past. But looking to the past can hinder our ability to find the “manna” that God is providing for us in the now. Where is the “manna” that God has provided for you? For me it was working with my compost and marveling at the wonder of how vegetable scraps can decompose into fertile soil. I found the “manna” in the collaboration at our staff meeting. The “manna” was the song that was sung at the SSP town hall meeting I attended today, and it is knowing that I have enough food in my cupboards that I will be able to eat a meal this evening with people that I love.
We all complain sometimes and are missing our meats, cucumbers and melons but perhaps we can challenge ourselves to stay in the present and look for the “manna” that God has provided for each of us. I wonder what your “manna” is?
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
Gracious and generous God, you know our needs and you provide for us. Even when we don’t notice all that you have given us and we forget to say thank you, you continue to provide for us. Thank you for the birds that sing, the sun that shines, the friends that surround us, the many scientists who are working to keep us safe and your constant unwavering love. You have truly blessed us. Amen.
Marty