Saying Goodbye

Day one hundred fifty-six

Last night I was reading through some material for a lesson I am preparing and I came across a quote that stuck with me:  "My life is my message" ~Gandhi.  I really like quotes like this one, they are short, powerful, and give you cause to reflect on your life.  This quote inspired thoughts like: What message does my life send to others?  Am I who I want to be?  Are there areas in my life that need improvement in order to send the right message?

My prayer this morning was focused on trying to understand the message the Lord wants me to send through my life and what I need to do to ensure that I am sending the right message.  I expressed gratitude for the chance that I have to be a representative of God and to share His message with those around me through the life I lead. There was a plea for the wisdom, strength and courage I would need to guide me through this life in such a way that my message would come through loud and clear, I love the Lord! 

Deuteronomy 34

As I came to the end of my study of Deuteronomy I knew that I was coming to the end of Moses' story in the Old Testament.  Part of me was a little sad, I have learned so much from Moses and I know that there is much more he could teach me, but I need to move forward in my scripture study so that I can be prepared for the next seminary year.  If time had permitted it, I think I could have spent the whole summer studying the first five books of the Old Testament, maybe at another time in my life that will be possible.

So I finished me reading of Deuteronomy with chapter 34 and Moses being taken from this earth.  There is no question what Moses' life's message is:  Be a faithful servant of the Lord.   

I think my favorite verses about Moses in chapter 34 are verses 10-12, they seem to capture his greatness:

"And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,

In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,

And in all that mighty hand [power}, and in all the great terror [awesome acts] which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel."

There is no one quit like Moses. His story is an epic adventure filled with so many lessons that it takes a lifetime of studying to recognize and understand them.  His example of learning, teaching, and leading has become a guidebook for me to use in my life.  It has been a privilege to study his life once again and to record what I have learned.  So, I reluctantly say goodbye to Moses, and I look forward to the day when I once again have the opportunity to be taught by such a great prophet.