A Scarcity Mindset

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? - Exodus 17:1-4

The people of God were on the journey of liberation, but it wasn’t easy. There were dry spells. And they often got grumpy along the way. It’s hard to blame them - they were thirsty after all. And yet, sometimes it seems like a scarcity mindset actually heightens the true scarcity we are facing.

As we’ve been reflecting on the passage in John 4 about Jesus talking with a Samaritan woman at a well, often it seems like God shows up and provides what we need through situations or people we don’t expect. Take a few moments to reflect on these thoughtful words, asking yourself what the Spirit is speaking to you today:

Like the Hebrews in the wilderness, our fear of scarcity may cause us to struggle in our confidence in God’s provision as we seek our own promises along our life’s journey. In seeking to quench our thirst… perhaps we may find the provision of God in the grace of relief and from unexpected places that sharpen our faith. — from the artist statement for "Wet Stones" by Carmelle Beaugelin (@beaufoliostudio) | @sanctifiedart