When God Doesn't Fix It | Exodus 3

I want to quote you to you. I want to quote you to you. >> Oh, no. >> Oh, no. >> Oh, no. >> Yeah, cuz you said something >> Yeah, cuz you said something >> Yeah, cuz you said something >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> and I I think it's it's it's worth like, >> and I I think it's it's it's worth like, >> and I I think it's it's it's worth like, did you mean this? did you mean this? did you mean this? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You said, I can't imagine a life without >> You said, I can't imagine a life without >> You said, I can't imagine a life without suffering. And the way that you said it suffering. And the way that you said it suffering. And the way that you said it was like, because suffering is was like, because suffering is was like, because suffering is beneficial. beneficial. beneficial. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Do you believe that? This is the >> Do you believe that? This is the >> Do you believe that? This is the Crossroad Daily. No experts, no perfect Crossroad Daily. No experts, no perfect Crossroad Daily. No experts, no perfect people, [music] just honest people, [music] just honest people, [music] just honest conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when the Bible shows up in real life. Hey, I'm Chuck. Hey, I'm Chuck. >> I'm Kiersten. [music] >> I'm Kiersten. [music] >> I'm Kiersten. [music] >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> And we are still in Exodus and today is >> And we are still in Exodus and today is >> And we are still in Exodus and today is Moses in the burning bush. Um, just a Moses in the burning bush. Um, just a Moses in the burning bush. Um, just a classic epic, you know, Bible moment classic epic, you know, Bible moment classic epic, you know, Bible moment kind of thing. kind of thing. kind of thing. >> And wild. >> And wild. >> And wild. >> And very wild. >> And very wild. >> And very wild. >> Bush with some snakes and leprosy. >> Bush with some snakes and leprosy. >> Bush with some snakes and leprosy. >> No big deal. >> No big deal. >> No big deal. >> No big deal. No big deal. Just God being >> No big deal. No big deal. Just God being >> No big deal. No big deal. Just God being God. Just God being God. Uh, I love the God. Just God being God. Uh, I love the God. Just God being God. Uh, I love the fact that there are these very real fact that there are these very real fact that there are these very real encounters with of the living God that encounters with of the living God that encounters with of the living God that happened in the Old Testament, you know? happened in the Old Testament, you know? happened in the Old Testament, you know? Like we think about God being only a Like we think about God being only a Like we think about God being only a distant voice, but no, he he comes distant voice, but no, he he comes distant voice, but no, he he comes present.

present. present. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um, and that's really important, >> Um, and that's really important, >> Um, and that's really important, especially when you're going through a especially when you're going through a especially when you're going through a difficult spot. Moses was at a point in difficult spot. Moses was at a point in difficult spot. Moses was at a point in his life where whatever his dreams had his life where whatever his dreams had his life where whatever his dreams had been, he thought those were dead and been, he thought those were dead and been, he thought those were dead and gone, right? He's a shepherd, he's in gone, right? He's a shepherd, he's in gone, right? He's a shepherd, he's in the middle of the wilderness. The last the middle of the wilderness. The last the middle of the wilderness. The last thing he thinks is that God is going to thing he thinks is that God is going to thing he thinks is that God is going to use him to do something great. And yet, use him to do something great. And yet, use him to do something great. And yet, boom, there God calls him out of it. So, boom, there God calls him out of it. So, boom, there God calls him out of it. So, I wonder like when you're in a place of I wonder like when you're in a place of I wonder like when you're in a place of suffering or difficulty, how does it suffering or difficulty, how does it suffering or difficulty, how does it feel to know that even in that place God feel to know that even in that place God feel to know that even in that place God still sees you? still sees you? still sees you? God still knows you. God still knows you. God still knows you. >> I think at first, >> I think at first, >> I think at first, I'm annoyed. I'm annoyed. I'm annoyed. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> I'm like, uh, hello. >> I'm like, uh, hello. >> I'm like, uh, hello. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> I know you can see me. I know you hear >> I know you can see me. I know you hear >> I know you can see me. I know you hear me. Like similar to Moses, like Moses's me. Like similar to Moses, like Moses's me. Like similar to Moses, like Moses's um, existence and survival is so rooted um, existence and survival is so rooted um, existence and survival is so rooted in God's like protection over him. And I in God's like protection over him. And I in God's like protection over him. And I have a story just similar to that of have a story just similar to that of have a story just similar to that of just like, oh my gosh, without God's just like, oh my gosh, without God's just like, oh my gosh, without God's protection over me from a little baby protection over me from a little baby protection over me from a little baby and answering prayers of my and answering prayers of my and answering prayers of my grandparents, like I don't think I'd be grandparents, like I don't think I'd be grandparents, like I don't think I'd be here. here. here. And so I know he can hear me. So when And so I know he can hear me. So when And so I know he can hear me. So when I'm suffering, I'm like, I'm suffering, I'm like, I'm suffering, I'm like, hello, what is happening?

hello, what is happening? hello, what is happening? >> Do something. >> Do something. >> Do something. >> Yes, like I know you can do something. >> Yes, like I know you can do something. >> Yes, like I know you can do something. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And yet, it's that >> And yet, it's that >> And yet, it's that both and of I know and have also seen both and of I know and have also seen both and of I know and have also seen how he has always made my suffering into how he has always made my suffering into how he has always made my suffering into something like way more beautiful and something like way more beautiful and something like way more beautiful and grown me into a way better grown me into a way better grown me into a way better um just like warrior for his kingdom, um just like warrior for his kingdom, um just like warrior for his kingdom, honestly. Like I can't imagine going honestly. Like I can't imagine going honestly. Like I can't imagine going through life without suffering or through life without suffering or through life without suffering or without without without um difficulty cuz what a um difficulty cuz what a um difficulty cuz what a You guys like You guys like You guys like I feel like we've all met people. I feel like we've all met people. I feel like we've all met people. Everyone has gone through difficulty, Everyone has gone through difficulty, Everyone has gone through difficulty, for sure. But I just never want to be for sure. But I just never want to be for sure. But I just never want to be someone that is someone that is someone that is so unseasoned so unseasoned so unseasoned of life that [snorts] I just don't have of life that [snorts] I just don't have of life that [snorts] I just don't have the the the >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> the advice to be able to relate and to >> the advice to be able to relate and to >> the advice to be able to relate and to teach and to teach and to teach and to uh know how to rely on God in those uh know how to rely on God in those uh know how to rely on God in those moments. And so that's the like moments. And so that's the like moments. And so that's the like >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I think he's so okay with being >> And I think he's so okay with being >> And I think he's so okay with being angry at like being you being angry at angry at like being you being angry at angry at like being you being angry at him. Like I think he's just like him. Like I think he's just like him. Like I think he's just like [clears throat] [clears throat] [clears throat] It's like a toddler that's like mad at It's like a toddler that's like mad at It's like a toddler that's like mad at you. Like my son, Oliver, he's three. He you. Like my son, Oliver, he's three. He you. Like my son, Oliver, he's three. He has been really into like has been really into like has been really into like physical abuse and anger, which is like physical abuse and anger, which is like physical abuse and anger, which is like so not his character.

so not his character. so not his character. >> You have to clarify that. He's not in >> You have to clarify that. He's not in >> You have to clarify that. He's not in the physical abuse and anger. Like he's the physical abuse and anger. Like he's the physical abuse and anger. Like he's hitting? hitting? hitting? >> He has plastic golf clubs that It is the >> He has plastic golf clubs that It is the >> He has plastic golf clubs that It is the craziest thing that if we're like craziest thing that if we're like craziest thing that if we're like fighting him to go down for a nap, he'll fighting him to go down for a nap, he'll fighting him to go down for a nap, he'll be looking, he'll go get his golf club, be looking, he'll go get his golf club, be looking, he'll go get his golf club, and he'll threaten me. and he'll threaten me. and he'll threaten me. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Oliver, absolutely not. But like I know >> Oliver, absolutely not. But like I know >> Oliver, absolutely not. But like I know he just doesn't know he just doesn't know he just doesn't know >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> what to do with that. >> what to do with that. >> what to do with that. >> Yeah, And just like, I'm so mad that I >> Yeah, And just like, I'm so mad that I >> Yeah, And just like, I'm so mad that I have to do this thing." And then God is have to do this thing." And then God is have to do this thing." And then God is this thing he like he turn your face this thing he like he turn your face this thing he like he turn your face laughing cuz you're like, "This is laughing cuz you're like, "This is laughing cuz you're like, "This is hilarious that you think you're going to hilarious that you think you're going to hilarious that you think you're going to take me down with this plastic take me down with this plastic take me down with this plastic >> What a great perspective though cuz I >> What a great perspective though cuz I >> What a great perspective though cuz I mean how many times am I like Oliver mean how many times am I like Oliver mean how many times am I like Oliver toward God? Maybe not like raising a toward God? Maybe not like raising a toward God? Maybe not like raising a golf club but like angry and like golf club but like angry and like golf club but like angry and like but God is like not maybe not laughing but God is like not maybe not laughing but God is like not maybe not laughing at me but he he has grace for that. I at me but he he has grace for that. I at me but he he has grace for that. I want to quote you to you. want to quote you to you. want to quote you to you. >> Oh, no. >> Oh, no. >> Oh, no. >> Yeah, cuz you said something and I I >> Yeah, cuz you said something and I I >> Yeah, cuz you said something and I I think it's it's it's worth like did you think it's it's it's worth like did you think it's it's it's worth like did you mean this? mean this? mean this? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You said, "I can't imagine a life >> You said, "I can't imagine a life >> You said, "I can't imagine a life without suffering." without suffering." without suffering." And the way that you said it was like And the way that you said it was like And the way that you said it was like because suffering is beneficial.

because suffering is beneficial. because suffering is beneficial. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Do you believe that? >> Do you believe that? >> Do you believe that? >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It just there and it's almost magical. >> It just there and it's almost magical. >> It just there and it's almost magical. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Like you can't explain it. You can't >> Like you can't explain it. You can't >> Like you can't explain it. You can't People will try try try to write books People will try try try to write books People will try try try to write books on it and it just can't you can't do it. on it and it just can't you can't do it. on it and it just can't you can't do it. God just works through such miraculous God just works through such miraculous God just works through such miraculous ways through suffering that it's kind of ways through suffering that it's kind of ways through suffering that it's kind of like when someone loses something like when someone loses something like when someone loses something someone or is grieving, you can't tell someone or is grieving, you can't tell someone or is grieving, you can't tell them like, "It'll be okay." Like they them like, "It'll be okay." Like they them like, "It'll be okay." Like they just have to live through it. You just have to live through it. You just have to live through it. You have to. have to. have to. >> You got to walk through the suffering. >> You got to walk through the suffering. >> You got to walk through the suffering. Yeah. How about you guys? When you're Yeah. How about you guys? When you're Yeah. How about you guys? When you're suffering, suffering, suffering, how are you reassured knowing that God how are you reassured knowing that God how are you reassured knowing that God God does see you still? He does know God does see you still? He does know God does see you still? He does know you. you. you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean I think I've seen what you're I mean I think I've seen what you're I mean I think I've seen what you're saying Kirsten is like hitting home cuz saying Kirsten is like hitting home cuz saying Kirsten is like hitting home cuz I have seen how suffering I have seen how suffering I have seen how suffering produces character and I mean Paul talks produces character and I mean Paul talks produces character and I mean Paul talks about that and about that and about that and we should have joy in our sufferings but we should have joy in our sufferings but we should have joy in our sufferings but in the moment it's hard to see that. in the moment it's hard to see that. in the moment it's hard to see that. It's like after the fact that you see It's like after the fact that you see It's like after the fact that you see those things. those things. those things. And so in the moment, I feel like I've And so in the moment, I feel like I've And so in the moment, I feel like I've responded a few different ways in some responded a few different ways in some responded a few different ways in some of the hardest moments in my life. I of the hardest moments in my life. I of the hardest moments in my life. I think back to a time when I was pregnant think back to a time when I was pregnant think back to a time when I was pregnant and my marriage was struggling and I was and my marriage was struggling and I was and my marriage was struggling and I was super physically ill and there was just super physically ill and there was just super physically ill and there was just like some family drama happening. Like like some family drama happening. Like like some family drama happening. Like there was just so there was so much.

there was just so there was so much. there was just so there was so much. And I remember And I remember And I remember praying a prayer to God of like, "God, praying a prayer to God of like, "God, praying a prayer to God of like, "God, I need you to be for me I need you to be for me I need you to be for me how when I was growing up and I was how when I was growing up and I was how when I was growing up and I was really sick or I was scared and I was really sick or I was scared and I was really sick or I was scared and I was like a little kid and all I wanted was like a little kid and all I wanted was like a little kid and all I wanted was just to be with my mom just to be with my mom just to be with my mom >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> or my dad. >> or my dad. >> or my dad. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And you would like get out of your bed >> And you would like get out of your bed >> And you would like get out of your bed and you would all like they couldn't do and you would all like they couldn't do and you would all like they couldn't do anything. anything. anything. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> You just wanted to be like curled up in >> You just wanted to be like curled up in >> You just wanted to be like curled up in bed close to them. bed close to them. bed close to them. >> And I remember praying that prayer of >> And I remember praying that prayer of >> And I remember praying that prayer of like, like, like, "That's what I need from you right now. "That's what I need from you right now. "That's what I need from you right now. Like as my heavenly father, like I just Like as my heavenly father, like I just Like as my heavenly father, like I just need to like that feeling of like need to like that feeling of like need to like that feeling of like comfort of just like being close to comfort of just like being close to comfort of just like being close to where I could just like curl up in bed where I could just like curl up in bed where I could just like curl up in bed and like I don't even think there's like and like I don't even think there's like and like I don't even think there's like nothing to do. Like I don't even know nothing to do. Like I don't even know nothing to do. Like I don't even know what you would do. I don't even know what you would do. I don't even know what you would do. I don't even know what to ask for you to do. I just like what to ask for you to do. I just like what to ask for you to do. I just like need you close. And need you close. And need you close. And that was that was a moment for me in the that was that was a moment for me in the that was that was a moment for me in the Lord of like seeing him in that way in Lord of like seeing him in that way in Lord of like seeing him in that way in suffering. Like sometimes I am a fixer suffering. Like sometimes I am a fixer suffering. Like sometimes I am a fixer like me as a person.

like me as a person. like me as a person. Um and I even notice that in the way Um and I even notice that in the way Um and I even notice that in the way that I respond for other people in their that I respond for other people in their that I respond for other people in their suffering of like, "What can I do to fix suffering of like, "What can I do to fix suffering of like, "What can I do to fix it?" And sometimes people just need you it?" And sometimes people just need you it?" And sometimes people just need you to like to like to like be there. be there. be there. >> It's the hardest thing. >> It's the hardest thing. >> It's the hardest thing. >> Did God answer that prayer for you in a >> Did God answer that prayer for you in a >> Did God answer that prayer for you in a way that you could experience? way that you could experience? way that you could experience? >> I think so. >> I think so. >> I think so. >> What was that experience? >> What was that experience? >> What was that experience? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think I think I think when I look back on that season of my when I look back on that season of my when I look back on that season of my life, that is one of the times that I life, that is one of the times that I life, that is one of the times that I have felt closest to the Lord. Like have felt closest to the Lord. Like have felt closest to the Lord. Like there were times where I could almost there were times where I could almost there were times where I could almost physically tangibly feel his presence. physically tangibly feel his presence. physically tangibly feel his presence. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I think that was an answer to that >> And I think that was an answer to that >> And I think that was an answer to that prayer. prayer. prayer. >> That's awesome. That's so good. Thanks >> That's awesome. That's so good. Thanks >> That's awesome. That's so good. Thanks for sharing that. That's a very honest for sharing that. That's a very honest for sharing that. That's a very honest and very real moment, right? and very real moment, right? and very real moment, right? >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Chris, I'm wondering next the question >> Chris, I'm wondering next the question >> Chris, I'm wondering next the question around this is like, "How do you around this is like, "How do you around this is like, "How do you typically handle difficulty?" I want to typically handle difficulty?" I want to typically handle difficulty?" I want to honestly say you know, something hard honestly say you know, something hard honestly say you know, something hard coming. What's your typical approach? coming. What's your typical approach? coming. What's your typical approach? And what does that approach say about And what does that approach say about And what does that approach say about what you think about God? what you think about God? what you think about God? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean I mean I mean my typical approach is like I mean grew my typical approach is like I mean grew my typical approach is like I mean grew up in church so I know that textbook up in church so I know that textbook up in church so I know that textbook answer of like he's with me, he knows answer of like he's with me, he knows answer of like he's with me, he knows me, sees me, but then I'm like all me, sees me, but then I'm like all me, sees me, but then I'm like all right, but then what? Like that's not right, but then what? Like that's not right, but then what? Like that's not good enough. That's like good enough. That's like good enough. That's like like that's the foundation but like I like that's the foundation but like I like that's the foundation but like I need more. I need him to jump in and do need more. I need him to jump in and do need more. I need him to jump in and do something and so it's a lot of me just something and so it's a lot of me just something and so it's a lot of me just like running to the next thing. It's like running to the next thing. It's like running to the next thing. It's like okay, well this part of my life is like okay, well this part of my life is like okay, well this part of my life is hard, but you know what? Like the Lakers hard, but you know what? Like the Lakers hard, but you know what? Like the Lakers are on tonight so like everything's are on tonight so like everything's are on tonight so like everything's going to [laughter] be okay or like I going to [laughter] be okay or like I going to [laughter] be okay or like I can go to the gym and like feel good can go to the gym and like feel good can go to the gym and like feel good about my physique or I can go like cram about my physique or I can go like cram about my physique or I can go like cram my face with whatever's in the fridge or my face with whatever's in the fridge or my face with whatever's in the fridge or like go to McDonald's and it's like I like go to McDonald's and it's like I like go to McDonald's and it's like I can just can just can just keep medicating with thing after thing keep medicating with thing after thing keep medicating with thing after thing so I don't have to go back to the

so I don't have to go back to the so I don't have to go back to the original thing that was hurting or that original thing that was hurting or that original thing that was hurting or that was difficult and you guys I mean was difficult and you guys I mean was difficult and you guys I mean you've been parents for longer than I am you've been parents for longer than I am you've been parents for longer than I am so you can uh you can coach me on this, so you can uh you can coach me on this, so you can uh you can coach me on this, but like I feel like something I've been but like I feel like something I've been but like I feel like something I've been trying to do with my daughter who's 15 trying to do with my daughter who's 15 trying to do with my daughter who's 15 months, but like she'll stub her toe or months, but like she'll stub her toe or months, but like she'll stub her toe or like the block isn't fitting in the like the block isn't fitting in the like the block isn't fitting in the thing well and she gets really thing well and she gets really thing well and she gets really frustrated and I'm just like I get on frustrated and I'm just like I get on frustrated and I'm just like I get on her level and I'm trying to look at her her level and I'm trying to look at her her level and I'm trying to look at her and be like hey I'm with you. Like and be like hey I'm with you. Like and be like hey I'm with you. Like I'm right here. Like I'm right here. Like I'm right here. Like and because every you know and she's you and because every you know and she's you and because every you know and she's you know she's like kind of swinging at me know she's like kind of swinging at me know she's like kind of swinging at me and she's like no like fix the thing. and she's like no like fix the thing. and she's like no like fix the thing. Like We're keeping that out of the house for We're keeping that out of the house for now. All the weapons are gone, but like now. All the weapons are gone, but like now. All the weapons are gone, but like exactly exactly exactly but like I could see her being like no but like I could see her being like no but like I could see her being like no do something like this hurts it's not do something like this hurts it's not do something like this hurts it's not going away or like the thing's not going away or like the thing's not going away or like the thing's not fitting fix that and I'm just like fitting fix that and I'm just like fitting fix that and I'm just like I'm here with you and I've seen the I'm here with you and I've seen the I'm here with you and I've seen the tiniest progression cuz she's still so tiniest progression cuz she's still so tiniest progression cuz she's still so little of like little of like little of like her being more okay with me comforting her being more okay with me comforting her being more okay with me comforting her in that moment and just being like her in that moment and just being like her in that moment and just being like my dad's presence is all I need and it's my dad's presence is all I need and it's my dad's presence is all I need and it's like like like that like that that like that that like that I want her to grow up knowing that and I want her to grow up knowing that and I want her to grow up knowing that and to know like for me to know like for me to know like for me for the longest time it was just like for the longest time it was just like for the longest time it was just like placate placate medicate medicate get placate placate medicate medicate get placate placate medicate medicate get anything that can feel good anything that can feel good anything that can feel good but I've found such a joy just being but I've found such a joy just being but I've found such a joy just being like, God knows me and sees me. And that like, God knows me and sees me. And that like, God knows me and sees me. And that alone, nothing else, period, point alone, nothing else, period, point alone, nothing else, period, point blank, stop. That is all I need. That blank, stop. That is all I need. That blank, stop. That is all I need. That he's just with me. Doesn't plus nothing he's just with me. Doesn't plus nothing he's just with me. Doesn't plus nothing else.

else. else. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> You just preached a whole word. >> You just preached a whole word. >> You just preached a whole word. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> You preached a whole word. We're going >> You preached a whole word. We're going >> You preached a whole word. We're going to leave it there, honestly, because to leave it there, honestly, because to leave it there, honestly, because that is the word for the day. You said, that is the word for the day. You said, that is the word for the day. You said, all I need is my dad's presence. Amen. all I need is my dad's presence. Amen. all I need is my dad's presence. Amen. May you know that you live with the May you know that you live with the May you know that you live with the presence of your father. He is with you. presence of your father. He is with you. presence of your father. He is with you. >> Mhm.