Moses was wandering around in the desert, tending a small flock of sheep for forty years. He had been a prince in Egypt until his sense of justice got the better of him and he killed an Egyptian slave master who was mistreating an Israelite. He fled the country and ended up in a remote place called Midian, got married, and settled down. Forgive me for adding to the Biblical record, but I'm fairly certain, he thought about Egypt everyday! I think that as he walked under the sun, sat in the shade of a rocky overhang, and changed predators from the sheep in his care, he remembered the people he had left behind. Years came and years went and gradually his old dream of making a difference for his people faded until one day when God presented him with an opportunity. As Moses stood barefoot before the bush that burned without being consumed, God said, "Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”" (Exodus 3:10, NLT) I can sure identify with that man in his response. He stammered, made excuses, argued, and bluffed - but it was God in the fire! After a long discussion about qualifications and other difficulties, God finally asks Moses to do an inventory!
"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!’ ”
So God said, “What’s that in your hand?”
“A staff.”
“Throw it on the ground.”
He threw it. It became a snake; Moses jumped back—fast! God said to Moses, “Reach out and grab it by the tail.” He reached out and grabbed it—and he was holding his staff again." (Exodus 4:1-4, The Message)
"I'll get to that next week."
"If I just had a degree in ?, I would submit my resume for that job I would love."
"Lord, I just don't have the time to take on that ministry."
"I'm going to learn that skill, next year."
So, which of those statements have you made recently? Many of us are deferring dreams, putting off change, or setting aside God's call to a ministry- convinced that tomorrow will be a better time to make it happen. Often we sincerely believe that another time or place will provide us opportunities, when, truthfully, we must make the opportunity today! Easier to say than to do, isn't it? Changing our lives involves risk. We might have to give up the security of our present job to take that one we really want. We may have to risk our family's approval to step out of their expectations to do God's will. We might have to give up some of our 'freedom,' to embrace significant responsibility. We could try and fail!
Is God asking you what you have in hand? What we must remember is that He uses people right where they are, with the resources they have available. His power in us is what makes the difference. You think Moses' staff was some kind of magical stick? Of course not. It was a regular old piece of wood that God used as a means of getting people's attention. God can use you if you will let Him. Or you can just keep making excuses. It's up to you.
You can keep making excuses that allow you to stay in that safe place, to follow the deep ruts of the ordinary; or you can get on your knees and give your life to God, right now, right where you are.
____________________
Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.
When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, My child—well done!”
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.
-- Kittie Suffield, Public Domain
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