Moses' father-in-law is visiting. And we learned the importance of remembering what God does, and celebrating it.
The second thing we learn is that it's not easy to get along.
Jethro goes to work with Moses, and he discovers that he spends all day mediating conflicts between people. Jethro, who has become some sort of organizational mentor from, I am guessing, his experience of being a tribal chief. He suggests two things Moses need to do for the Hebrews if they are to become a people, and if they are to keep their hard earned freedom - they need instructions and they need organization.
When an individual think about freedom, they think about being able to do whatever they want with no limits. But when a society thinks about freedom, they think about the way individuals respect their neighbour's boundaries. In a society, our freedom as individuals is made possible by how others respect my space and my possessions.
Somehow, Jethro understand this. He suggests that Moses teaches them how to get along - how to live in a way that preserves freedom in the society. And he suggests there needs to be some sort of organization - some sort of leadership to help guide people to learn to get along.
Write
Think about your faith story: think about your experience in community - family, work, church friends? How have you juggled between freedom and boundaries?
in your life presently, how are you struggling with the tension between freedom and boundaries? What "instructions" do you live by that safeguard freedom for yourself and the people you live and work with?
Who do you have a conflict with prsently?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about your experience with freedom and boundaries. Thank God for the way he instructs you so you can live freely in your life.
Pray about the conflicts your face presently over freedom and boundaries. Ask God for the help you need, the reassureance of his presence, and the courage to follw God's instruction toward freedom.
Pray for the people you are in conflict with. Ask God to give you the insights and the mentors to help you make peace.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he safeguards your freedom, and the way he teaches you live with others freely.