As I am reading Exodus I read again the words that the children of Israel are a “stiff-necked people”. When I’ve read this in the past I’ve thought that they must be much worse than you and me. Today I’ve read this again. This time I’m brought to a new reality. Yes, it isn’t new that we all have stiff-necked characteristics depending on what the topic is. But, in the case of the children of Israel, God chose them out of all races to be the example of Himself with us. In spite of the stiff-necked characteristics we exhibit, He remains faithful. 

Stiff-necked doesn’t need to be negative. I don’t want to be wavering in my commitment of living for God. However, living for God should never look to others like a “must do” instead of a “get to”. If the Joy of the Lord is motivating “living for the Lord” then what others see is just that–JOY. If I am going to be stiff-necked, I sure hope it looks like a commitment to JOY, not a stubbornness to “have my way”. Living for Jesus, serving Jesus is such a joy. 

God brought the children of Israel from their slavery in Egypt to a Promise Land. He brought me from the shackles of my childhood to now using it help others find the freedom He has given me. This is nothing but pure JOY! I pray, if you have shackles as I did, you will let Jesus lead you to the Light of HIS FREEDOM.