Sometimes we think that God calls only impressive, competent people into his service. But I think we could not be more wrong. God is looking for willing people who he would bless and equip for his service. Moses is a great example of this.

Moses objected, “They won’t trust me. They won’t listen to a word I say. They’re going to say, ‘God? Appear to him? Hardly!'”(Exodus 4:1, MSG)

Moses could not believe that he would be able to do what God asked him to do but God performed some miracles to prove Moses that it actually would be about God and not about him.  

But Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.” (Exodus 4:10, MSG)

Then God tells Moses that he had made Moses and his mouth just the way they are. God promises to be right there with him and his mouth but still Moses pleads: “Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!” (Exodus 4:13,MSG)

In the end (after God got angry with him) Moses agrees to go when he can take his brother Aaron with him. Moses is presented very stubborn, ill equipped, and unqualified for the job he is called to do. Yet he is the one God had chosen. But why would God choose someone like him? Not because of his competencies! But maybe his incompetency and under qualification were exactly what was needed. What?

Because salvation is not about us. It’s about God. It’s not our work, it’s God’s work. We are invited along but we are not the subject of the process. It does not matter how much we stutter. It does not matter how unimpressive we are. It does not matter how imperfect we feel we are.

But what matters is that we surrender to Jesus and allow God to work through us. We are to do our best for the Lord. But it’s not about us. It’s not about our abilities but it’s about God enabling us to do what we are called to do. Because God is in action. God is alive and working in us and through us. God is calling us to partner with him. Let’s not let our in-capabilities or in-competencies keep us from saying yes to God’s invitations! Because God calls us as we are, thoughtfully equips us and sends us into his service powered by the Holy Spirit! It’s not about us. It’s all about God! Thanks be to God!

Gracious God,
Thank you for using ordinary people for your extraordinary tasks!
Help us to believe that we are worthy to do your work!
Empower us to live the salvation life right where we are.
Guide us to share your love and grace with the people you send our way.
Enable us to hear your calling and
humbly follow your lead wherever you send us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you identify with Moses? What’s your stuttering? I feel that ‘my stuttering’ is not being a native English-speaker. But I’m slowly learning that it does not matter in God’s plans. Soli Deo Gloria!

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you learn to navigate the salvation life!

Photo courtesy of  V. Gilbert and Arlisle F. Beers