Can You Let Your Basket Go?

Look at Exodus 2:1-10. Could you imagine having to hide your baby from the world? In Exodus 1:22, Pharaoh ordered all baby boys to be killed. My thoughts, especially during Lent, turn to Jochebed, Moses’ mother.

Imagine Jochebed’s fear every time she heard a noise. Would today be the day the soldiers kill her baby? She tried everything to protect her son and when she could no longer hide him, Jochebed made a basket and put her small baby in it, sat it on the edge of the water, and turned it loose. She let her baby go not knowing what his fate would be… only knowing that if she didn’t, he would eventually be found and killed.

We know that Moses survived. His sister watched as the Pharaoh’s daughter found him and that Jochebed was even hired as his wet nurse. But how did she know everything was going to be okay? She didn’t. It seems to me that the things we are trying to be most “sure of” are the places where we are trusting God the least.

Yes, that tiny Hebrew baby boy in a basket becomes Moses. He wrote the first five books of the Bible and brought the 10 commandments down from Mount Sinai. But, was Jochebed sure that putting her baby in that basket was the right thing to do? She had to have great faith to let that basket go.

What do we have that we need to let go of? Throughout my life, my mother has told me: “Let Go and Let God.” That is precisely what Jochebed did.

The season of Lent is not meant to be about what we want to “give up” as much as it is about where or what we need to put more in the hands of God. Spirituality itself is self-discipline; it’s trusting.

“How can anyone see straight when he does not even see himself and the darkness, he unconsciously carries with him into all his dealings.” This quote from Carl Jung reminds me of the season of Lent. The purpose of Lent: the self-reflection that is meant to draw us closer to the Lord and where we need to challenge our own sense of self-awareness. Jesus warned about seeing a speck in another’s eye but failing to see the plank in our own. All progress begins when we learn to see and speak the truth about ourselves. “Search me, Lord…”

Deep formation starts with knowing ourselves. Both the conscious and unconscious parts. Both the healthy and hurt parts. And above all reminding us: the price of our brokenness was paid on that cross.

Jochebed displays great trust in God. Her courage, her clear thinking, and her creativity fulfilled

God’s plan for Moses and the entire nation. Yet this came with a great sacrifice. She relinquished her son to the hands of God, to the nurture of someone else to adopt and raise him. This is the love of a parent, making great sacrifices and having the strength to do the difficult things that parenting requires. Not only is she the courageous and astute mother I hope to be, but I am reminded once again of the love and sacrifice we have from a good, good Father.

As God quietly orchestrated events in the life of Jochebed, be assured that He is working behind the scenes in your life as well. During this Lent season, ask yourself: What do you need to surrender to God?

I pray that this season of Lent will be one that leads each of us into a more disciplined, focused life. And I challenge you to ask yourself: can you let your basket go?

This post is a devotional writing originally written for the 2023 Lenten Devotional of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in High Point, NC.