One thing I notice is that I find myself uttering this phrase more often as I get older. In fact, I don’t ever remember saying it in my 20’s. Recently it’s taken on some rather negative connotations. Something blows up at work – "well, you know it is what it is". You have some issues you’re dealing with in your personal life – "hey, it is what it is.
Yesterday, my pastor’s sermon gave me a new spin on "It is what it is". He has been preaching a series entitled Answering God’s Call where each Sunday he preaches on a different Old Testament prophet. Today was Moses. While growing up in Egypt as Pharaoh’s fosterling, Moses was struck by the plight of the Israelites and in anger killed an Egyptian. Moses expected this to be the start of a revolution but the Israelites accused Moses of the murder and he fled into the deep desert.
When Moses receives God’s call he is tending sheep and far away from Egypt. The key to Moses answering the call was to recognize the reality of his situation or if you will; "It is what it is". In that connation, the phrase takes on a more inspirational tone. Yes, I’ve made mistakes but "It is what it is. It’s like stop worrying about the past and accept the reality of the situation, leave it behind, and be open to new opportunities.
You can find the sermon at http://fbccov.org/portfolio-item/answering-gods-call-part-4-moses-god-calls-people-who-have-failed/
