As we read about Pharaoh in Exodus 1, we read about a person who has the power to destroy lives, to change everything. Because he was treated as a god, what he said was done.

But really, all of us can, in fear, destroy lives. Perhaps not on the scale of Pharaoh, but we can lash out with words regardless of the cost. We can micromanage. We can tear ourselves and others to shreds.

There were, in the story, two women who stood up to power. They were midwives, nurses who helped in the delivery process. And these two women, and perhaps a whole system of midwives, decided that they wouldn’t carry out his orders. They could have feared losing their lives. They, however, respected the authority of God more than the authority of Pharaoh.

And they saved lives.

I know. This is an odd way to start the week. I should be saying something cheery. something upbeat, something to make us smile. But as I think about it, lots of us spend a lot of time in fear. It’s killing us.

But these women. One by one, individual choices, faith to do what God has said to do rather than fear.

• At this moment, what is it that you know how do to? Do it.
• What is the one thing that you know how to do? Not compared to other people. I mean the one thing that you know how to do?
• Who are the people that you notice that no one else notices? What is the one way you know how to help people?

What if there is a need for that one thing at this very moment? There is perhaps someone walking by in just a minute that needs the affirmation you can offer.

I’m not being cliche. Not really. I’m thinking about what Paul wrote.

He said that we are to offer ourselves to God the way we would offer something on an altar. But ourselves alive. Not as something that is dead and therefore useless. As people who can do things. And, Paul says, we each are equipped differently. We are not the same and that is a good thing. That is a God thing.

We are different and we need each other. And who we are is needed.

But if you are caught up looking the other way.

If you are caught up in worrying about how messed up the country is,

If we are caught up in comparing ourselves to others,

If we are caught up in our self, we can stop that and offer ourselves to God.

And then do what Jesus did.

Or. More accurately,

Do the part of what Jesus did that YOU know how to do.

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From a reflection on Exodus 1 and Romans 12 for the chapel service on 8/27/2023.