He had grown up a child of privilege. The adopted son of the Pharaoh’s daughter came with its perks after all. That’s not to say he didn’t know about his real identity, but forty years of palace life can carry with it certain expectations. However, one day he saw one of his Hebrew brethren being abused and he took matters into his own hands. Eventually the fear and guilt that came with his actions drove him to the desert where he found work with a Midianite priest and a wife in one of his daughters.
The next forty years of his life was spent in Midian where he built a life, had a family, and unknowingly prepared himself for the last forty years to come. And when the day came it was just like any other. He was out tending his father-in-law’s sheep when he saw something that forever changed the course of his life. Up in the mountain of God he saw a bush burning with fire but there was something different about this bush. Even though it burned with fire it wasn’t consumed. There was obviously something supernatural about what he was seeing. Then as he approached the bush to investigate it a little more closely he heard the voice of God calling out to him and the conversation they had not only changed the future course of his life but the course of world history.
Of all the things that happened that day, the day Moses came ‘face to face’ with the great I AM there’s one that stands out to me. That day Moses, as broken and imperfect as he was, learned that he had a place in God’s kingdom.
- So even though he didn’t carry an imposing presence (Exodus 3:11) he knew that he was accompanied by the presence of God.
- Even though he didn’t have a prominent name (Exodus 3:13ff) he knew he carried with him the name of God.
- Even though he wasn’t a powerful man (Exodus 4:1ff) he knew God would show His power through him.
- Even though he wasn’t a persuasive speaker (Exodus 410ff) he knew that God would provide the words and the tongue to deliver His demands.
In other words Moses knew that he was much less than the ideal candidate to successfully do the Lord’s work but God could work through the abilities that he had to get it done.
I don’t know about you but sometimes when I think about the scope of God’s work today I feel a little like Moses – do I have a place in God’s kingdom? I don’t carry any type of presence with me. I don’t have a prominent name. I don’t have any type of inherent power. I’m not that persuasive or eloquent of a speaker. What can I do?
The problem is that when we ask those questions out of a deep since of insecurity or humility we’re thinking about it the wrong way. The question isn’t what I can do in and of myself, but what can God do through me. We are simply the vessel through which God’s purpose is accomplished.
In describing the church as the body of Christ, Paul tried to explain it this way – “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:27-31).
Like Moses, we simply need to learn that whatever talents or abilities we bring to the table, we have a place in the kingdom of God. We can accomplish great things. We can show compassion on those around us. We can encourage a brother or sister when they are down. We can help lead a soul to heaven. God can work through us just as powerfully and mightily as He did through Moses. We have a place and a purpose in God’s kingdom. The day Moses came ‘face to face’ with the great I AM he learned that lesson. We need to do the same.
-Andy