What’s your exit? Are you prepared for it?

The line grew quiet. I’m certain Amanda (not her actual name), wasn’t buying what I was selling. In this case, faith.
We were talking weddings when our conversation turned to work, my husband and her boyfriend worked together. While I can’t remember the exact conversation all these years later, I know the conversation ended in me telling her that Dustin would soon leave that job. Puzzled and envious that my husband would soon be home each night, she asked where he took a job. To her surprise, I shared with her that he didn’t have a job yet, but I believed God was fixing to open a door for Dustin and our family and he would soon leave this job.
Silence took over our conversation until Amanda broke it long enough to say she had to go and never called me again.
In Exodus 12, the Israelites were preparing for the Passover. The Passover, if you aren’t familiar with the term, was the time when God was preparing the Israelite people for their exit from Egypt. The Lord told Moses and Aaron to tell the community of Israel to take the blood of Lamb that meets the criteria God laid out, slaughter the animal and put its blood above the doorpost and the lintel of the houses where they eat them. He gives a few more instructions and tells them He will pass through the land of Egypt and kill every firstborn male in the land, both people and animals. Both the homes covered by the blood of the lamb (pointing toward Jesus) He would pass over. Hence the Passover. I’d love for you to take a minute to read through this chapter, go ahead, I’ll wait...
Now that you’ve read it, meet me back at verse eleven if you will, this is what I really want to talk about today. Let’s look.
Here is how you must eat it: You must be dressed for travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in a hurry; it is the Lord’s Passover. — Exodus 12:11 (CSB)
I love this! God is preparing the people for their exit from Egypt, from slavery, but He asked them to be a little crazy. To show crazy faith. He essentially is saying here, if I can paraphrase; “hey guys, I’m about to set you free with this tenth and final plague, protect your young men, and send you on your way to a land I have promised your ancestors. I want you to have some crazy faith, believe what I’m telling you. So dress for the road. Show me you believe in me, and in what I’m telling you.”
So they dressed for travel, even though the Passover had not yet happened. They dressed ready for their exit. They clothed themselves in crazy faith and obedience to God.
Same is true of my conversation with Amanda. I essentially dressed ready for my exit. I spoke with crazy faith. I prepared for something that hadn’t yet happened, believed for what Amanda would likely consider unbelievable. And was obedient to what He was whispering to me and Dustin.
I know a couple who also exercised some crazy faith and obedience. They had been told they would never have their own children and would need to adopt. So they prayed fervently for a child to adopt, believing God would give them a child. But they took their faith a step further and purchased a pack of diapers for the child they couldn’t yet see. And instantly… just kidding, it usually isn’t instant. God works on His time table not ours. It was several years later before they received the call about their daughter. But they were dressed, ready for their exit. They believed for and expressed crazy faith for this child and God did what He said He would do.
He’s faithful, friend.
So what’s your exit? Are you ready for it? Is God asking you to prepare for your promise?
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. — James 2:26 (CSB)
What steps of obedience can you take today? What crazy faith can you exercise? God is a man of His word, believe in Him. Trust Him. Be ready for your exit.
Cassie Downs, formerly of the Ellsinore area, is a speaker, author of Chasing Jesus, a 60 day devotional, and founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry. Connect with Cassie on Facebook, Instagram, or online at cassiedowns.com.