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Do you ever think doing what is right doesn't pay off? Sometimes we try to start a new habit (how are those New Year's Resolutions holding up?) and things go from bad to worse. Sometimes we try and extend an olive branch to someone with whom we've had a rocky relationship, and instead of reducing the friction things escalate to the brink of war. If that is the case in your life, fear not. You're not alone. God told Moses to tell Pharaoh to "let my people go" (see Exodus 5:1). Think about it. A slave telling the king that the God of the slaves has commanded that the slaves be set free so they can serve God. So Moses delivers the message. But it is NOT well-received. How did you think that conversation would go? The king would respond, "Wow Moses. Great idea. Go ahead and leave." Rather than give in, Pharaoh digs his heels in, figures Moses and his tribe are lazy and the Egyptian king instructs the task masters to work the Hebrews harder. Imagine how the Israelite neighbors must have felt about Moses and his whole burning bush encounter at this point in the story. "Thanks a lot, Moses!" "Instead of freeing us, you've given us more work." "Instead of making life easier, it has become much, much worse." No "Thanks Moses!" Instead it's, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." (Exodus 5:21) So much for obeying God. So much for doing the right thing. Moses is so bothered, he goes running back to God and asks, "O LORD, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me?...You have not rescued your people at all!" I don't remember ever learning that verse as a child. I can only imagine my Sunday School teacher saying, "OK kids. Remember this verse. 'You have not rescued your people at all!'" Nope. Pretty sure they never had us learn that one. But as people of faith, I wish they would have. Because sometimes, maybe even most of the time, we live in the in-between times. The times between when we've done the right thing and the times when we get to stand back and see God's hand at work. If you are tired of getting the wrong results from doing the right thing, cheer up. You're NOT alone. Take a lesson from Moses. Do the right thing. And then go and complain to God. Pour your heart out and then wait some more. It's part of the life of the people of faith. Grace & peace