One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?” The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known.”

~Exodus 2:11-14 NIV

My kids loved public playgrounds when they were younger. My oldest was cautious in his climbing, swinging, sliding, and playing. I could sit back on a bench and watch him play with minimal concerns. My youngest, on the other hand, acted like a miniature Godzilla, stomping his way through all the equipment. If his arms and legs were long enough to do it, he did it. Climbing, jumping, running—nothing deterred him.

My Way

As a mom, he terrified me. Every opening on the playground could result in injury if he stepped wrong. Each jump could cause a broken bone. The first few times I took him, I hovered closely, like a mama bear. My arms stretched wide or over my head to catch him if he fell. Fear controlled me so much that I couldn’t enjoy letting him be the little daredevil he was. In my mind, I had to be ready for an interception at any point. Control. Control. And control.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

~Proverbs 3:5 ESV

Does anyone identify? Moses also took matters into his own hands. He saw injustice, and instead of obeying the law of the land and the direction of God, he murdered an Egyptian. When he was caught, instead of fessing up, he took off running. For forty years, he hid in the desert.

God’s Way

Here’s the thing. God had a specific call on Moses’ life, but Moses got in the way. Instead of consulting God and seeking His plans, Moses took control of the situation and “handled things.” And boy, did he make a mess.

We, too, have specific calls on our lives. God desires for us to run free on the playground of His calling and live the best life of faith. But control sets in, and we take things into our own hands. Out of fear. Frustration. Uncertainty. Pride. Selfishness.

Instead of bringing sin into God’s perfect plan, we need to step away from our selfish view and choose to trust. Trust His route and the adventure. Trust the timing. And trust His heart.

Don’t find yourself getting in God’s way through sin or any other way.

Dear Jesus, please show me how to let go of the control I keep exerting. Help me get out of Your way and trust Your perfect plans. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Getting in God’s Way: Christy Bass Adams: All Rights Reserved.