Finding Your Identity in the Wilderness: Lessons from Exodus

Brothers and sisters, sometimes life feels like we’ve been dropped into a vast, unfamiliar wilderness. We’re wandering, we don't know where we're going, and we keep running into walls—walls built by our own limitations, or sometimes, walls built by the world's expectations.

It reminds me so much of Moses. Think about him! He’s raised in luxury, he’s a prince, he’s skilled, but when the call comes to lead his people, he basically throws his hands up and says, "I am not eloquent. I have a slow tongue."

It's easy for us, in our own lives, to feel that same way. We look at the calling—whether it's serving in a calling, being an internet missionary in our own neighborhood, or just trying to be more Christlike in our daily interactions—and we think, "Me? Me? I'm not equipped enough."

But what the Spirit whispers to us, what the gospel teaches us, is that God’s power isn't dependent on our eloquence, our perfect resume, or our immediate readiness. It’s dependent on His covenant power and His patience.

The Echo of Covenants

Dr. Pierce highlighted something so vital when discussing Exodus: the constant return to covenants. The Book of Exodus is practically a masterclass in covenant keeping. It asks the perennial question: Does God remember His promises? For us Latter-day Saints, who are continually walking under the shadow and protection of the Abrahamic Covenant, this is a powerful reminder. Our covenants aren't just nice ideas; they are the lifeline that keeps us connected to the Savior.

When we feel like our blessings are delayed, or when we wonder if the Lord even *sees* our struggles, we can anchor ourselves to the pattern of the covenant. We keep showing up, we keep trying, and we trust that His timing—His divine timing—is infinitely better than our own.

Who Am I? The Core Struggle

Perhaps the most relatable theme is identity. Moses is constantly wrestling with, "Who am I?" He's Egyptian, Hebrew, and Midianite all at once. He doesn't fit neatly into one box. This struggle to define ourselves—to know what's truly important—is the heart of our journey to becoming disciples.

The beautiful thing about the gospel, and about the Plan of Salvation, is that our true identity isn't found in the titles we hold or the mistakes we've made. It's found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are taught through type and shadow that our identity is rooted in Him, and in the Savior, we find the power to deliver ourselves and others from bondage.

If you're feeling adrift this week, remember Moses. Remember that the Lord hears our suffering, and He remembers His covenants. He is patient with our mess-ups, and He keeps trying with us.

I highly recommend diving into the full discussion on this episode. Listening to the full episode will give you such a rich tapestry of themes to ponder as you study the Book of Exodus.

A Bite-Sized Skill for Our Journey

As you ponder this week, here’s a small mission prep skill you can practice. When you feel the urge to complain about a challenge—a slow process, a difficult conversation, a setback—pause. Instead of dwelling on the complaint, try to rephrase it as a question of covenant: "Lord, how does this challenge help me remember the covenant I made with Thee?" This shifts the focus from the problem to the promise.

For those who are ready to deepen their study, I found the Social Scripture Study layer inside LivingBook invaluable when reading through covenant passages. It really helps contextualize the scripture!

If you're looking for more deep dives into gospel principles, check out the latest Book Club discussions in HolyPlaces. We've been discussing the power of divine patience there!

Keep drawing strength from the Spirit, and keep turning toward the covenants. We are all in this together, disciples.