Between The Lines...

Do you ever wonder what happened between the lines?

Sometimes I realize that as I read the Bible, I take an American mentality and rush through the story; never actually soaking in the depth of it all.

Take the story of Moses for example:

Young Hebrew couple gets married and has a baby boy.

Evil Pharaoh says, “You must kill all newborn Hebrew boys!”

Young mom decides she’s not going to kill her child so she whips up a basket and sticks it amongst the brush of the Nile River with her baby boy, Moses, inside.

Princess finds the baby and Moses ends up being one of the greatest leaders of the Christian faith.

The End.

Hmm…

Something about that is just not right. Sure, I got the gist of the story and yes, all the facts and figures are right, but somehow I think that when we neglect to read between the lines, we may in fact miss the most important lessons of all.

I realized that as I slowed down the pace and thought through this illustration; the Lord had a lot more to teach me than just what was on the surface.

Let’s try this again…

Young Hebrew couple gets married and has a baby boy during a time when the King has ordered that all baby boys of Hebrew descent be killed.

After nine months of beaming with the glow of pregnancy this young mother endures excruciating labor which wracks her body with the most intense pain a person could feel. However, the memory of the pain quickly subsides as her precious child is placed in her arms and she kisses his cheek and brushes a tear from his eye.

For months upon months this mother is the sole provider for this little life. She nurses him as his body begins to grow and she wakes countless times during the night to attend to his needs.

But then the day comes…the day that she knew would eventually come, but she had tried not to think about. For months she had been able to hide her child, but he was getting too big now and his cries were getting louder.

I imagine the tears that must have flooded her pillow as she cried out for God to give her guidance and to protect her baby.

What did it feel like the day she sat behind her closed door and wove together a basket just the right size for her 3 month old son? What thoughts poured through her head as she played and re-played the plan for saving her son’s life? What did it feel like as she wiped away his tears for the ‘last’ time before placing him amongst the reeds?

When I sit and think about what really happened between the lines of this story, I realize that what Jochebed (Moses’ mom) did was nothing short of absolute obedience and complete trust - Absolute obedience that God had placed a plan on her heart which she should follow through with - Complete trust that God had a future for her child despite how grim the circumstances looked.

What’s between the lines in your life right now? Sure, on the surface, things may seem pretty normal. The face you put on when you step out the door is cordial and happy. But, what’s between the lines of your life? What are the struggles you are dealing with behind closed doors?

Is it a wayward child? The loss of a job? Are your finances completely gone or your marriage falling apart? Is there an addiction that is consuming your spirit or a past hurt that is keeping you in bondage?

What’s between the lines of your life?

Take a second look at the story of Jochebed and her son Moses. It’s not just a neat little story with a happy ending. It’s real life. It’s a real mother. It’s a real child. It’s heartache and pain and, best of all; it’s faith that God has a plan.

Do you believe that God has a plan for your trials? Pray for a spirit that will trust in God’s ultimate plan for you. Pray for clarity, pray for answers. Pray for faith.

(Written by Cyndie for Lifeline Devotionals)