“Seas of Hope” – Exodus 14:19-31 – August 27, 2006

In 1956 Hannes Lindemann crossed the Atlantic Ocean. He made the voyage in a double-seater kayak. He had 150 pounds of supplies, some hand-made sails and a paddle. His supplies included evaporated milk and beer. On his voyage he managed to eat raw fish. He made the crossing in 72 days. His record voyage stands to this day.

I can’t imagine making the 3,000 mile voyage across the Atlantic alone. I might consider it on a 40 foot yacht with a 4 person crew. But, to venture across the ocean in such a small craft would be terrifying. It would take tremendous faith to make such a journey.

I can, however make the claim that I crossed the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean in 1972. The voyage started in Subic Bay, Phillipines and ended in Jacksonville, Florida. The 10,000 mile sea crossing took 28 days, only that voyage was aboard an aircraft carrier. But I still had mixed feelings about that journey. On the one hand it was long and our ship traveled independently. There was no communication to home and no mail. On the other hand those 10,000 miles of ocean were the only thing standing between the Vietnam War and returning home.

I felt trapped. Freedom was possible, but two oceans had to be crossed. I wonder how often people feel trapped? Behind you might be chaos, darkness, fear, danger or some enemy. In those experiences all seems hopeless and it’s easy to lose faith. You know that freedom is possible but it’s far away, too distant to be real and some sea has to be crossed.

The Israelites were trapped. Behind them were Pharaoh and the Egyptian Army. The Israelites had fled Egypt and they were being pursued by their former oppressors. In front of them was the Red Sea. For them, freedom lay on the other side of the sea. Since they had no boats or craft of any kind, not even kayaks, crossing the Red Sea seemed virtually impossible.

They blamed Moses for putting them in such a predicament. Moses told them not to fear. He said that God would deliver them from the Egyptians. He had faith that the same God who liberated them from Egypt would continue to be with them on their journey to the promised land. God then told Moses to tell the Israelites to “go forward.” All Moses had to do was stretch out his hand over the sea and divide it. That would enable the Israelites to cross the sea on dry ground.

The Egyptian army, however would not be so lucky. When the Egyptians tried to pursue them, the sea closed in upon them and they perished. It’s a classic story. The good guys get away and the bad guys are punished.

I believe the story has several important lessons. The first lesson has to do with situations in which we are trapped. There may be some sea that you have to cross that appears beyond reach. You can stay where you are and be overpowered by some negative force or you can do what the Israelites did. You can “go forward.” Sometimes it’s easier to stay where we are, giving in to that which dominates us. We don’t like risks and it’s much easier to remain because change is scary.

Take, for example, a woman who is living in an abusive relationship. She can remain in the relationship with continuous beatings and incidents of domestic violence or she can get help. That takes courage and determination. Yet, her only freedom lies in her willingness to take steps toward liberation. She has to cross the sea, admitting that things are not going to change. Her only chance of survival is to move to a different environment.

Last month in Dayton, Ohio, two young children died at the hands of their mother. This happened just a few hours before Children’s Services was going to remove the children from their dysfunctional home environment. Mountains of red tape, people passing the buck, and others sitting on their “thumbs,” stood in the way of their timely rescue. The system failed because no one moved forward.

People are afraid to move forward. Sometimes we lack confidence to try new things. Other times the risk seems too great. Other times we are paralyzed by fear. However, we can overcome that fear by moving forward.

The second lesson is this: worldly powers may overwhelm us but they are no match for the power of God. In spite of the fact the Egyptians had superior weapons, chariots and well-trained armies, they were no match for the power of God. God is over everything, especially the forces of nature. Was it not Jesus who stilled the stormy seas of Galilee for the disciples? Didn’t Noah build an ark and save his family and all the animals? Both Jesus and Noah had faith in God in spite of the forces against them. Like them, Moses also had faith and therefore parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. God can also provide power in our lives to eliminate those forces which are trying to suppress us.

Third, the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea is a invitation to faith. God wants to be trusted, especially when we are faced with some powerful force. One time I was driving my MG Midget in Norfolk, Virginia. I was driving on one of the largest military bases in the US. While driving I encountered a tremendous downpour. The water on the roadway began rise in front of me and it was too late to turn back. But, something very mysterious began to happen. My little car began to float. I was totally amazed. The water was only about a foot and a half deep, so I got out of the car and pushed it to where the road was dry.

I will never forget the day that God spared me from the raging waters and floated my car to dry land. There I was surrounded by some of the most powerful man-made weapons on earth; battleships, aircraft carriers and navy jets. Yet God floated me to safety in a way beyond belief. I believe that God was teaching me faith and that God wants us to trust God in every circumstance.

All of us will face times in our lives when we feel trapped. Some sea will stand in our way of being free. When that happens, remember Moses, who told his people to “go forward.” God is all powerful and will provide a path for us. May we have the faith that God will be with us on the seas of life.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio