Like Hamlet

“‘I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses trembled with fear and dared not look. The Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have seen the cruel suffering of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans, and I have come down to set them free. Come now; I will send you to Egypt!” (verses 32-34)

Read Acts 7:30-43

One of Shakespeare’s greatest characters is Hamlet, a complex person, facing danger and injustice. He is reluctant to act, but he doesn’t know what to do anyway.

Moses was in similar difficult circumstances. He found himself called by God to set right a great wrong, to liberate his people from slavery in Egypt. Even the people God had given him to lead rejected him. He trembled before God. He was overwhelmed by the challenge.

You can find yourself in a comparable position. Lots of things in life seem to be out of kilter, injustice seems to thrive and people get on the wrong track. Even if you are personally trying to do something about it, you sometimes wonder whether God 1s really helping, or even if you are on the right side.

Hamlet died trying. But you have more in common with those who succeeded. You know God is in charge, you know 1t is his strength that counts, and you know his love always triumphs, whatever he sends you to do.

Dear God even though I am weak and often am not clear as to what I should do, use me to do your will. Amen.

by Richard Hauser, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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