Thursday, June 29, 2017

DEW REFERSHMENT CALL : EVERYBODY NEEDS A HERO











Zipporah’s  father, Jethro had once been one of Pharaoh's top advisors, but because he was gracious toward Hebrew people, he had been blackballed and ostracized.
Jethro relocated to Midian, and became the highest priest of the land. He was a highly respected and intelligent priest, who gave up the practice of idol worship. The people of Midian weren’t exactly pleased with his decision, and began to persecute and hate him. (Isn’t that always the way? You decide to do something beneficial, think independently, or step outside of the box and along come the haters.)
Jethro's daughters felt the brunt of his decision.  Every time they went to water their father’s sheep, they were bullied away from the communal well.  They figured out a way to work around the bullies. Imagine if they decided they were too afraid and stopped going to the well altogether? Instead, they waited patiently until all of the other shepherds had used the well, and then seized their opportunity.  The waiting was no doubt time-wasting. The sheep needed water, though. There was no time for fear or succumbing to intimidation. Moses stood up for Zipporah and her sisters, when he showed up in Midian and saw what was happening. He defended them against the town bullies, and assisted them in watering their flock. Their father was surprised to see his daughters arriving back home from the well after being gone for such a short period of time. Zipporah told her father about the stranger who helped her and her sisters.  Moses was extended an invitation to Jethro’s house and not long after, he was given Zipporah to be his wife. 
One word in a version of the story that I read would not let me go. “Communal”. The well where Moses became Zipporah’s hero, was not off limits. It was not privately owned. Had it been, it would have made sense for the owner to become irate and chase other shepherds away from it. However, it didn’t belong to any one person. No one person had more stock in it, or privileges concerning it, than another. It was to be used or shared in common by everyone in the town. No one should have dared chase Zipporah and her sisters away. I understand being concerned about the condition, upkeep, and proper functioning of shared things, but when resources are communal where does anyone get the idea that they can commandeer them and determine when, where, how, how much, and whether others utilize them?
There are a myriad of reasons why people do what they do, and if some people could keep you from obtaining and enjoying your portion of what is rightfully yours they would.  Don’t allow it.
So many questions came to mind as I thought about the incident at the well.  How many times were Zipporah and her sisters harassed and intimidated in their own town, by people who knew them, before Moses--a stranger-- came along? Why didn’t anyone else see the injustice and unfairness and help them? Had they told their father what was happening to them? What did being ostracized and constantly in fear do to their self-worth? Did it make them stronger, weaker, or more determined? Had they simply resigned to deal with the situation the best way they could? And what was up with those shepherds? ( I’d like to think these shepherds, by their behavior alone, were hired hands. Good shepherds were caring, responsible and not cowardly.)
Everyone is faced with mean-spirited, selfish, overbearing people from time to time. How do you cope with those who have decided that you don’t matter? Who is gossiping about you, and sowing seeds of discord because of a stand you have taken? Who has been gossiping and backbiting so much that their attitude is hostile and cold when they encounter you? Who’s trying to get you out of the way? Is it because they think they’re better than you? Do they fear that resources are lacking, diminishing, or they deserve a greater share of them than you?
Who’s assuming that you are weak, insignificant, and unworthy and attempting to bully you? Who’s trying to frighten you away from what you have every right to obtain? And why are you allowing it? Are they bigger, “badder”, or more powerful? Are they armed, or are they just self-centered, narcissistic bullies who like seeing you cower and cry?
Who’s trying to regulate or force you to change your plans? Who is keeping your time as if you answer to them? Who is suggesting that it’s time for you to step aside so they can bully their way into your position—not because they want the job, but because of the perceived perks they think you’re receiving? If you have been committed, consistent, efficient, effective and operating in a spirit of excellence—why are you even thinking about where your suitcase is? Why are you so easily moved by manipulative, self-centered people from places where you belong?
Who is trying to move you simply because they’re insecure and don’t want you in what they think is their lane?
Who’s trying to make you think they’re more important or more favored than you? Is it true, or is it what they need to be true in order to make themselves feel better?
Who is intimidating you and causing you to waste the little that you have obtained in the short or inconvenient amount of time you had to obtain it?
Who’s persecuting you because of what someone in your family has done?
Who hasn’t been able to hurt you, so they’ve decided to harass your children or family members?
Who has a problem with the kindness that you demonstrate to others?
Who’s mad because you’ve grown intellectually and no longer ascribe to performance based, or idol based worship?
Who’s got you cowering, hiding, and waiting until the coast is clear because every confrontation with them is a violent or combative one?
Who have you allowed to hold you to a ridiculous budget or standard so that they can have more?
Who sees you going about your business—minding your business—not bothering anyone, just going about your day, making sure your needs and the needs of your family are met, and decides that their needs are more pressing than yours?
Who has decided that you need supervision, micromanagement, or relegation to a low estate?

Who doesn’t care if you’re lacking essentials that could affect your health and well-being?
Who has caused you to feel you have to settle for last place or the low rung on the totem pole?
What adjustments have you made, or how have you inconvenienced yourself just to avoid running into certain people?
Who thinks that their schedules, appointments, and time are more important than yours?
Who has imposed a singular claim on what is a joint or group venture?
Who is diminishing you because of your gender?
Who thinks you shouldn’t be where they are--doing what they’re  doing?
Who thinks you’re too weak or unsuited for the job you’ve always been doing with ease and precision?
Who has a problem with your ethnicity, nationality, appearance, language, mannerisms, habits, style, or beliefs, or skill?
Do you always know who’s really behind the decision making concerning you, or is there a fall guy?
What have you sacrificed so that a significant other can be free to wholly pursue a higher calling?
It is vital to know the people in your life, and particularly those in your circle. Recognize integrity, sincerity, dependability, and kindness. Know who is there for you, not because of what you have, but because they value the relationship, and value righteousness. Be wise about confrontation, but don't fear it. Like the song says, "I wanna see you be brave".
Maya Angelou said, “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. Remember this, because it will happen many times in your life. When people show you who they are the first time believe them, NOT the 29th time.”
Know those people who smile in your face, and seek to be close, but don’t mean you any good. Know those people whose smiles make your day.
Once your eyes are open, keep them open and don’t go back to sleep...:  )
#justkeepgoing


No comments:

Post a Comment