Tip of My Iceberg

At nine months, she’s already making a way for herself in the world.

Junie has made a place for herself since she entered the world. Obviously the delight of her parents and grandparents, she’s been one who has shown awe and wonder for her world since she entered it. Her curiosity and eagerness to learn all that’s around her is inspiring; she takes nothing for granted. Rather like Alice in Lewis Carroll’s 1865 classic, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, whose insatiable curiosity led her down a rabbit hole into a magical world.

Junie is pulling herself up and learning to walk, a step of discovery for her; a transition for her parents that will both excite them and cause them consternation as their little girl experiences a newfound freedom that is a step into independence. As children learn autonomy, they become more aware of their ability to make choices for themselves.

Independence is freedom from outside control or rule. The Pilgrims left England in 1620 to escape religious persecution and to find new economic opportunities, a choice that was costly as they settled in an unknown land. America has been the “land of the free and the home of the brave”, a place of hope for many to live without fear of oppression and judgment for what they believe. Many of us whose families have lived in America for generations have never felt the horror of persecution, rejection, or intolerance because of what we believe.

Many are all too familiar with that prejudice.

We all long for freedom, to not be under someone else’s thumb, to choose to live as we see fit, to pursue opportunities that will benefit us.

History is rife with people groups under the rule of others, being subjugated against their will. It often takes war to free people from such tyranny. The American Revolutionary War was caused by tensions over British taxation and England’s military control over the new states. Independence cost us.

Israel also experienced the tension of being held captive by the Egyptians for 430 years. There had been a famine in Canaan and Egypt that lasted for seven years. Joseph, a Hebrew, had risen to power by helping Pharaoh store grain so his people wouldn’t starve during the years of want. Eventually, all of Joseph’s family moved to Goshen so they could have access to food.

They multiplied quickly, and the Egyptians, fearing the Hebrews would side with their enemies in case of war, so to slow their growth and power, Pharaoh enslaved them.

God raised up Moses to free His people from bondage. Using ten plagues to prove to the Egyptians the power of God, the people of Egypt were grateful when the Israelites finally left. “And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed; they asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth.” Exodus 12:35-36.

Freedom from bondage was a luxury the Israelites hadn’t expected. They hadn’t trusted God to take care of their needs, but He did so lavishly. When the Egyptians pursued the Israelites because Pharaoh didn’t want to lose his whole workforce, the people complained to Moses that he’d brought them out there to die. Moses told them, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today….The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14.

God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could go across on dry ground; He caused the water to return when the Egyptians tried to cross, drowning them all.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Freedom came in ways not expected. God did the impossible to save His people.

Like Junie and her push for independence, the Israelites didn’t know what to expect.

Junie has her parents to watch out for her.

Are you willing to let God watch out for you?