The next aspect of the story of Moses that I see in the area of leadership is on the leader himself. With some people who hear the call into leadership can be a very intimidating situation. Not every one of course, but the humble and least likely of people can often feel inadequate when answering to the call to ministry or to complete a task that God has for them to do.
Moses was no different, the very first thing he did was question God on why God wanted to use him. (Exodus 3) No doubt, he was thinking about his past and what had transpired with him and the Egyptian he killed. We can’t let the past hold us hostage into moving forward into where God calls us to go. Here are a few scriptures, speaking about our past.
- Isaiah 43:19 – See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
- Philippians 3:13 – Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Anyone who recognizes the call by God into an endeavor must always remember one thing; If God called you to a task, a position, or place He will make sure you have what it takes to finish what He desires for you to do, even though you may doubt. God knows what He is doing.
In Exodus chapter 4 it points out several excuses that Moses tried to offer up to God when God kept insisting on His plan. Moses first excuse was “What if they won’t listen to me?” God took care of his excuse by giving him miracles to do with his staff, his hand, and some water. God always provides you with the tools you need to be successful for him. Today’s tools maybe books, programs, or other ministries to share and pull from.
The second excuse was that was not a good speaker and was “I am slow of speech and tongue.” God gentle reminded Moses, “Who made your mouth?” We may look at our set of skills and say to God “I can’t teach like that or I can’t work with children like etc….” God would say to all of us, I don’t care what you can and can’t do like everyone else, I just want you to do what I ask you to do in your own way and with what I gave you in the way of your gifts, talents, and abilities.
The last excuses Moses gave God was just a simple I quit. “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Moses just couldn’t think of any other good excuses other than he didn’t want to do it. This was probably the worse thing to say. The scripture says that God’s anger burned against Moses when he said that. Telling God “No” is dangerous ground. If you think about it, when you tell God “no” in a way you are saying “I know better than you God.” God also had Aaron, Moses’ brother, to come and help speak for him also. Thank goodness for other godly people around us that will help us when we need it.
I can remember the times when I first got started in ministry and I felt so unprepared and inadequate to do the task God had called me to in youth ministry. God surrounded me with people who I could talk with and get advice, get encouragement from, and yes, even get a little correction from. The next time God calls you to a particular ministry position, place, or plan be take confidence in the fact that it is God calling you and not anyone else. Take captive those thoughts that come from the devil and try to convince you that you are not good enough, smart enough, old enough, too old, or any other thought that he may try to use on you.
DId God Really Say... 