Exodus 8:17-19 - Invasion of Blessings

October weather is shifting into one of my favorite seasons in the Midwest. Cold nights have killed off pesky mosquitoes and chiggers; daytime sunshine is warm enough to sometimes get by without wearing a jacket.

Unfortunately, the colder weather outdoors prompts Asian beetles to invade the indoors. They are only mildly irritating. Grab one to throw it away and they emit a foul odor. Their hard shell wings clank into light bulbs, they occasionally land on one's food or one's face. They may even pinch your skin! https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/multicolored-asian-ladybeetle

The Bible tells us how the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. God sent Moses and Aaron to warn Pharaoh that if he didn't allow the Jews to leave Egypt to worship God in the desert, various plagues would come to Egypt. One of the first ones involved little insects--gnats. 

We read that...
“17 ...All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into gnats. 18 Pharaoh’s magicians tried to do the same thing with their secret arts, but this time they failed. And the gnats covered everyone, people and animals alike. 19 'This is the finger of God!' the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. He wouldn’t listen to them....” (Exodus 8:17–19, New Living Translation, 2015)

Pharaoh had a high level of tolerance, even when otherwise minor irritations grew to a major, nation-wide concern. 

When there is a major trauma in our nation or world, you've heard people say, "Perhaps God is trying to get our attention." Not every event is caused by God just to get our attention. He constantly invites us to engage with him, regardless of circumstances.

When minor irritations arise, it's the same thing. It may or may not be directly sent by God. Regardless, do we merely get disgruntled and grouse about those irritations? Or do they become an occasion to learn Christ-like patience and graciousness?

God in heaven, Sometimes the tiniest blessings remind me of you. A raindrop clinging to a sunflower; a baby's laughter. I ask that irritations, even the little ones, would likewise turn my heart toward You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See also: February 9, 2021 - Proverbs 19:11 - Ignoring Harmonia axyridis