Exodus 14:27 English Standard Version (ESV) So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threwthe Egyptians into the midst of the sea.

This is the only verse in the ESV with the word normal. It might not be the best descriptor of how many of us feel right now as we eagerly seek to see this cold spell behind us. It does however give us an opportunity to see further separation between we who follow God and those in the world. The Egyptians being those in the world.

The world tries to recapture us just as the armies of Pharaoh chased after their former slaves. God saved us from that life and we should be mindful of the life we now live with Christ and not allow the actions of the world to drag us back into their ways.

Going to the store yesterday was a real eye opener about the insecurities of those in the world. Panic buying wiped out just about everything in the store. Meats and cheeses and bread were gone. Milk gone, eggs gone, bakery goods gone and a host of other things that I was not interested in stocking up on.  All signs of panic. You would have thought the end of the world was at hand. They did not buy what they needed for just a few days. They bought enough for a month.

We did not panic. We remained calm and followed God’s instructions. “Go to a place I will show you.”

Now with my life “back to norm” it is the panic of the unfaithful that is upsetting. I don’t want to provide them with anything but the security I have found in Christ. They check their list and say, “Nope not what I am looking for.” Selfish desires never look for salvation. Panic moves them not faith.