Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29
There is a moment in the story of the Exodus when the Israelites are caught between two impossible choices. Behind them is Pharaoh and his army. In front of them is the sea. They don’t know what is going to happen next, and understandably, they are afraid.
We often imagine faith as the opposite of uncertainty. We think that if we really trust God, we should know where things are going and feel confident about what comes next.
But the Israelites don’t have that kind of certainty. And faith is more like courage than certainty anyway. The willingness to step out boldly, when the way forward isn’t clear.
Our faith is like that for us, too. We may not know how a difficult situation will unfold, whether a decision will work out, or what lies on the other side of a change. We may wish God would show us the whole road before asking us to take the first step. But God doesn’t always give us certainty. Sometimes God gives us an opportunity to be courageous.
This week, think about one place in your life where you are waiting to feel completely certain before moving forward.
It might be a conversation you’ve been avoiding, a decision you’ve been putting off, a new beginning, or just something that feels difficult or unfamiliar.
Bring it to God in prayer:
“God, I cannot see the whole way forward. Give me courage for the next step.”
Then ask yourself: What is one small step I can take, even without knowing exactly where it will lead? You don’t need to map everything out. Just look for the next faithful step.
And remember: courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is choosing to move forward without letting fear weigh you down.
Let’s pray:
God who makes a way through impossible places, when we cannot see what lies ahead, give us courage for the next step. Help us trust you without needing all the answers, and give us wisdom to recognize the path when it begins to open before us. Walk with us through our uncertainty, and remind us that we never walk alone. Amen.