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A Bisl Torah

The Elevator


Headed to a meeting outside of the synagogue, I entered an elevator. An elevator that is pre-programmed to reach your designated floor. An elevator with no buttons indicating where you plan to go.

A few of us entered the elevator and like clockwork, we all reached for the panel where buttons usually exist. With sheepish laughter, we looked at each other and shrugged. “Habit”, I said. Another gentleman sagely offered, “I guess we have no choice but to take this journey together.” How wise and how true. The elevator ride was a few short minutes, but he was correct. Nowhere to go but up or down, having confidence that we would end up where we needed to be. Taking the journey with whomever God auspiciously puts by our side.

Life is filled with voyages in which we wonder, exactly where is this journey taking me?
Name your journey. Marriage. Parenthood. Career. Illness. Depression. New Beginnings. Grief. Some journeys filled with unadulterated happiness. Some filled with indescribable sadness and longing. Journeys where we scramble for buttons to push, to hold on for as long as we can or quickly, jump off, no looking back. Buttons that don’t exist. Rides in which we pray, trust and faith will get us through.

The book of Isaiah teaches, “Fear not, for I am with you…I strengthen you and I help you….” As we struggle to push the elevator buttons, buttons that aren’t there, may God’s presence diminish our fears and bolster our steps.

The journey at times feels relentless, arduous, frightful. Let us have trust that with God’s help and with God’s hand, we reach our destination with renewed purpose and peace of heart.

As the journey continues, may our faith journey with us. Flourishing, growing, and offered to those searching for buttons.

Shabbat Shalom

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