The Pharaohs in Our Lives

This past weekend, after Pastor Skip’s sermon, I found myself ruminating on the word “pharaoh.”  At the end of his sermon, Pastor Skip posed the question – “What or who are the pharaohs in your life?”  For each of us, I suspect we could come up with a few things that are like pharaohs to us and a few people who have acted like pharaohs toward us.  I know I sure did!  In fact, as I was beginning to think about the pharaohs that have been in my life, I found myself no longer angry at their “hard hearts,” but rather overcome with a combination of both sadness and thankfulness; a rather odd combination of emotions. 

I was sad because so many of the pharaohs in my life have been people who seem to have it all together on the surface, but underneath they carry deep hurt, pain, anger, and resentments that they have not dealt with or healed from.  The root of their suffering has spread throughout their whole being and no matter how hard they try to put a mask on it, their suppressed pain comes oozing out in hurtful ways toward others.  I’ve learned that often times hurting people, hurt people. 

On the other hand, I was also thankful.  Thankful that God had put them into my life.  Yes, I did say thankful!  Some of you probably think I’m nuts for saying that, but you see sometimes God puts those pharaohs in our lives in order for us to more fully trust in Him and to not loose heart.  Look at Moses!  He went back and back again to pharaoh.  I also think that God puts pharaohs in our lives so that we can be part of the healing process God has in store for them.  It has been my experience that when I encourage the pharaohs in my life to remove the “everything is OK” mask and allow them the space to put a voice to their pain and name it, the pharaoh in them melts in a bath of tears, sorrow, pain and regret. 

None of us know the hurts and pains that many people are carrying with them.  Maybe the pharaohs in our lives are really hurting people just crying out for God to heal their pain.  As Pastor Skip said on Sunday, if you find a pharaoh or two in your life do not lose heart because God keeps his Word and His message is a message of hope.  God’s promise for Moses is the same for us.  Can I have an AMEN?!

Here’s the song “Deliver Us” from the movie “Prince of Egypt.”  May God deliver you from the pharaohs you are facing in your life.

Pax,
Pastor Carol