Reflection
In today's readings, we witness God's provision for His people in the wilderness and Paul's vision for unity in the church. In Exodus, we see God providing manna, quail, and water for the Israelites, while also establishing leadership structures through Jethro's wisdom. In Ephesians 4, Paul emphasizes the importance of unity, spiritual gifts, and mature Christian living.

The key insight we can draw from these passages is this: God provides for His people's needs while calling them to mature faith and unified service.

Let's break this down into a simple principle we can apply:

Embrace God's provision while actively contributing to the unity and maturity of His people.

Here are five practical steps we can take to apply today's readings:

1. Trust God's provision: Like the Israelites with manna, identify areas where you need to trust God's daily provision.

2. Exercise your gifts: Following Paul's teaching, how can you use your spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ?

3. Pursue unity: Look for ways to promote unity in your church community, following Paul's call to "keep the unity of the Spirit."

4. Accept wise counsel: Like Moses with Jethro, be open to receiving wisdom from others who can help you serve more effectively.

5. Practice new life: Implement Paul's practical instructions for "putting off the old self" and "putting on the new self."

As you go about your day, reflect on this question: How can you better combine trust in God's provision with active participation in building up His body?

Conclusion
Thank you for joining me today. These passages remind us that God not only provides for our needs but also calls us to mature faith and unified service. Until tomorrow, may you walk in both the provision and purpose God has for you.