Break on Through

For Monday, August 15:

There are days when I fear that I am inadequately living out my calling to be a loving partner and parent, when I find myself lost and unable to communicate my feelings. Keeping on the course, despite these shortcomings and the critical voices in my head, is a choice that is presented to me every day.

In the Book of Deuteronomy, an inarticulate and self-conscious prophet by the name of Moses urges the people of Israel to choose blessings over curses, life over death (30:19). In order to do this, they must seek the Eternal in all that they do, including walking, eating, praying, speaking to their children, and -- pardon the creative license here-- running. :)

I imagine that Moses said all of this in a cold sweat, terrified by his inadequacy. He never wanted to be a prophet because he was afraid that no one would listen to him. At one point, he actually cries out to God, "If they don't listen to me, then what?!"

There's a Jewish saying taken from Deuteronomy: "L'dor v'dor," which means, "From generation to generation." It refers to Moses telling the people to love God and His teachings deeply in mind and body and to pass this love on to their children. This phrase has echoed in Jewish consciousness for centuries, poignantly from a stutterer who was afraid of his own voice.

Moses speaks to me not as a famous religious figure or prophet, but as someone who managed to break through the voices in his head to do what he was called to do.

As Jim Morrison reminds us:

Tried to run
Tried to hide
Break on through to the other side
Break on through to the other side 
Break on through to the other side, yeah!