I remember after joining a group several years ago, my husband and I were asked if we would think about serving as leaders. My immediate response was, “No.” When asked why, I had a few good excuses … I mean reasons: “We’re too busy. We’re not ready.” I think that’s an answer most of us can relate to, right?

Nevertheless, we eventually agreed to assist the leaders which seemed easy enough. Then, we were asked to lead the group and the responses in our head included: “But we have small children. We have differing passions. Surely, there is someone more qualified than we are to do this.”

This experience reminds me of a conversation in Exodus chapters 3 and 4 between God and Moses. Through a burning bush, God instructed Moses to deliver the Israelites from Pharaoh’s bondage of slavery. My immediate thought was what an honor to be chosen by God for this job!

But let’s just say Moses did not seem to share my enthusiasm. In fact, he expressed doubt to God about:

  • himself: “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11)
  • proving that he was sent by God: “Suppose I go … and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me’ … and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’’ (Exodus 3:13)
  • the people: “What if they do not believe me….?” (Exodus 4:1)
  • his abilities: “I have never been eloquent … I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)

Since we may be familiar with the end of the story, it’s easy for us to chuckle at Moses and ask, why would you doubt God? Obviously He knows you can do this man! Yet, how many of us, including yours truly, are guilty of doing the same? Even after reading about Moses’ struggle with doubt and about how God provided and equipped him for every task, we have the very same conversation with God.

So we have to wonder to ourselves, why would we doubt God? Obviously He knows we can do what we are being asked to do Friend! The leaders who spoke to my husband and I had prayed, seen our potential, and encouraged us because they knew we could do it. We decided to go for it and have been serving as leaders since, not because we are qualified but because God qualifies us.

“Now go; I will help you … and I will teach you” (Exodus 4:12)
~Joyce

*Photo credit: Unsplash

 

by joyce

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