Herding Cats… and Israelites

“In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.’”
— Exodus 16:2-3

Teaching has often been compared to herding cats. Cats have a reputation for being independent and resistant to direction. Put thirty strong-minded students in one classroom with one harried teacher, and chaos will follow.

As a teacher, I have nothing but empathy for Moses and his situation with the Israelites. Reluctant at first to lead God’s chosen people, Moses eventually got them out of Egypt—no small task! He even convinced the Egyptians to send them off with gold, silver, and clothing. He led them safely across the Red Sea and escaped Pharaoh’s chariots.

Finally, they were free. On their way to the Promised Land.

Grumbling in the Desert

Moses and his sister Miriam sang praises to God, who led them to an oasis with twelve springs and seventy palm trees. God promised to provide for them if they obeyed Him—and He did. He sent manna from heaven and quail for their sustenance.

But then came the complaints.

• It’s too hot.
• The sand hurts my feet.
• Manna? Again?
• We should’ve stayed in Egypt.
• Yeah, we had it good in Egypt.

Isn’t that the way it often goes? Even when God leads us toward something better, the discomfort of the unknown makes us long for what’s familiar—even if what’s familiar wasn’t great for us.

No one really likes change.
Even when it leads to what is good.

Moving Forward with the Holy Spirit

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
— John 14:26

When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He knew His disciples would face challenges. There was no going back to their old lives. Following Jesus had changed them forever. They would need the help of the Holy Spirit to move forward into what God had next for them.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…”
— Acts 2:1-4

There was no going back.

Where We Are Now

We’re not Israelites wandering the desert. And we’re not thirty unruly students in a classroom.

We are a church that has followed the Lord for 156 years. We might not always like change, but we know God is leading us forward.

Now, with Pastor Brandon stepping in to lead us into a new season at Atonement, we have a calling to support him as he shepherds this congregation. We believe God has brought him here for this purpose.

And just like we once decided to follow Jesus as our Savior, we choose again to move forward with Him.

As we step into this new chapter together, let’s choose faith over fear and unity over comfort. Pastor Brandon cannot lead alone—he needs all of us, standing together, praying, serving, and trusting God for what’s ahead.

Let’s move forward, together, with no turning back.