Forward Day by Day

WEDNESDAY, April 27         Zita of Tuscany

Exodus 16:9-10 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.’” And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

I took a group of sixth and seventh graders to the nearby big city. It was blistering hot, and the sun beat down on us, unrelenting. Several young people complained. The complaints were less desperation and more of a verbalized momentary displeasure—the kind of complaints youth ministers and parents and guardians hear frequently and encourage young people to work through when possible.

The next day, we heard this portion of Exodus. A young woman said, “This was like yesterday when we were walking around in the heat.” She got it—she made a personal connection between an old Bible story and her modern-day life. Her comment sparked others to find some common ground and better understand the words of the Israelites.

For both groups, after the heat and the complaining, God showed up, and it was glorious.

MOVING FORWARD: Need to complain today? Go ahead. And then remember to look for the glory of the Lord.

PRAY for the Diocese of Lahore (Pakistan)

Ps 119:1-24 * 12, 13, 14 | Exodus 15:22—16:10 | 1 Peter 2:1-10 | John 15:1-11

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