24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
Hebrews 11:24-31
Moses had no control over where and to whom he was born and how the geopolitical events happening at that time would define his life. He was born of slaves in Egypt where the king was killing sons. His mother hid him in a basket in the Nile and that defined his life. We are often defined by the actions of others. I went through that phase of blaming parents, birth order, and lack of talent and so on for my plight in life. The writer of Hebrews is clear that Moses had plenty to whine about also, and certainly life in the palace was a blessing, but it seems that one of the major facts that led Moses to being a hero and not a victim was a choice he made.
Moses must have taken a look at his life and decided to identify with his heritage from birth parents. We do not know what led to this awareness. We know from Exodus that he murdered an Egyptian. He came to a crisis and chose to stand with God’s people, not the palace. He, of course, did not know about Christ and the burning bush experience did not happen till later but Moses did make choices that aligned him with unseen reality, facing into an unknown future that would take place.
Our choices may not be so dramatic but we do make choices. Perhaps fortunately, it is hard for us to see down the road to know the consequences of each choice. Often we think about eating choices and diets. Around April 15 we ponder our integrity about earnings. And then there is that speed limit sign we feel is more of a guideline than a law. Each day we make choices about words we are going to say, snarky remarks we are tempted to blurt out, and compliments we withhold. Today as we go about “normal life” making “normal choices” may we not be guilty of sins of commission (deliberate sin) and sins of omission (sins of not doing the good we could have). Lord, help us choose wisely, listening for your voice.
On the Way to Wonder 