In order to complete the story of Jethro, the Torah now jumps four months ahead to the 11th of Tishrei 2449, the day after Moses descended Mount Sinai for the last time.
Infinite Ascents
וַיְהִי מִמָּחֳרָת וַיֵּשֶׁב מֹשֶׁה לִשְׁפֹּט אֶת הָעָם וגו': (שמות יח:יג)
On the day following [Moses’ descent from Mount Sinai], Moses sat to judge the people. Exodus 18:13

When our spiritual lives seem to flow smoothly, we may think that we have overcome the challenges of life and can sit back and relax. For the proper response to this sentiment, we need only look at Moses’ example. While on Mount Sinai, Moses reached the peak of spirituality, yet, as soon as he rejoined the people, he plunged directly into his new task of judging the cases that the people brought before him.

Similarly, even when it feels as though we have reached the pinnacle of holiness, there is still tomorrow – when, like Moses, we should set our sights even higher.1