Exodus

As an eight-year-old kid, I became enthralled with the musical theme from the movie Exodus. 

I didn’t have a clue about the movie or the story behind it, but Dad explained about the Bible's exodus—an ancient nation in slavery, the plagues that led a mighty king to finally let them go—and their exodus to a land that would be their own. 

It was a journey where they had to learn to trust God for everything.



At my next piano lesson, I boldly asked my teacher if she had the music to Exodus. She looked at me over her eyeglasses, rose, and walked to her massive musical collection. She extracted the sheet music and held it in front of me. “You’re not able to play this,” she declared. Compared to the few musical notes in my beginner’s books, I could see why.

So back home, I put the record on the phonograph, and began plunking out the melody on the piano. While I didn’t have the ability to read it from music, I could try and learn it by ear. 

As I played the single note melody, I imagined the exodus and how their uncertainty could easily become fear.


Ten years later I learned what an exodus felt like. Packing up my childhood and venturing out gave me what those early wanderers must have felt. I was somewhat unprepared and lacked faith. 

Oh, but without the exodus I wouldn’t have learned how to trust in the One in Whom I could draw my strength.

Interesting thing about life, we can have more than one exodus. Maybe it’s when we change jobs, or move across the country. 

Some face a hard exodus—when you’re betrayed and need to leave with a broken heart. It’s then, that we learn that living in pain is worse than the fear of leaving.


Perhaps the hardest exodus? When someone you love dies. Oh, the journey ahead is no longer than same. How many times will you look for him and then realize he isn't coming home?


Is there ever an easy exodus? Probably not. But it’s a place where we learn about ourselves and it’s also where God can lead the way if we let him.  

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Isaiah 43:1-2

I found my dad's old record on YouTube, here's the theme from Exodus:

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