Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh. – Exodus 7:7

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 26, 2012): Exodus 7

I am a second career pastor. It basically just means that I had a real job, or a series of real jobs before I became a pastor. It is a phenomenon that seems to be increasing in frequency. There are more and more of us that have done something else before going to seminary and pursuing a career in the pastorate. In some ways, I lament the delay and wonder what I could have accomplished if I had gone directly to seminary after graduating from school. But, on the other hand, I think those of us who have had other careers bring a fresh outlook to parish ministry. The time that we have spent in other careers has just been further preparation for the task of being a pastor.

In the story of Israel, Joseph rose to power in Egypt in thirty short years. After his education – most of it from the mean streets, he became the second in command of all of the Egyptian empire. And as important as Joseph’s role was, Moses role was even more important. He was not being prepared for a role under the Pharaoh – he was preparing for a role that was equal to – or even over top of Pharaoh. And to prepare him for that role it was going to take just a little longer.

In a world that often seems to value youth over experience, and in a church that often seems to believe that we work hard during our youth so that we can take our last years off, the tale of Moses tells us a very different story. And in a world where people are living longer than ever before, Moses stands as a reminder that God has a purpose and a job for us throughout the whole of our lives – and that everything up until now has been in preparation for the task that God has for us - and is still to come.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Exodus 8