Lent Guide 2023Sample

Wednesday – Friends of connection

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about hor the Lord had rescued them from Egypt. Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions.

Exodus 18:1-2,8,14,24

To make a connection – to make contact and create a space where there is acknowledgement and acceptance, doesn’t just happen. Here are a few things you can do to make a connection possible:

• Interest – Jethro wasn’t taken up in his own world, and when he heard the news of Moses, he decided to go and make contact (Ex. 18:1). Moses was open to it and received his father-in-law’s advice, even though his father-in-law didn’t share the same faith and did not have such a big congregation as him either (18:24)
• Courage – Jethro displayed courage by asking personal questions of Moses (18:14). Moses displayed courage by receiving Jethro and listening to him (18:24).
• Vulnerability – Moses and Jethro were both vulnerable in sharing what they felt (15:15,16).
• Humility – Moses especially was humble by listening to his father-in-law, who had less experience than him in the things he was handling.

You are now invited to think about a time when you experienced deep connection. Take note of the friends of connection and see if you acknowledged them during the encounter. Do you acknowledge the characteristics of Jesus? Which other friends are important to you? How do you befriend the friends of connection?

Grace:

Lord, I ask for the grace of connection and dialogue in my relationships.