Welcome to 1500 B.C. It’s more than half a century into God’s plan to make of Abraham a great nation and the possessors of a fabulous land. The Hebrews, Abraham’s descendants, are instead a nation enslaved to the Egyptians, suffering possessors of precisely nada. Moses, the hope of the Hebrews who had serendipitously (and providentially) ascended to high authority in the house of Pharaoh, is now an 80-year-old shepherd in Midia, having fled his royal family – and his people – some 40 years earlier. However, the cries of the Hebrews have risen up to the sympathetic ears of their faithful and powerful God. He is ready to bring about the fulfillment of his promise to Abraham and decisively turn the fortunes of this enslaved people around for good. He needs a spokesman though; a leader and a shepherd, who will go before Pharaoh and guide his people out of bondage. So, He calls to Moses from a flaming bush in the desert to be this great leader. And Moses knows one thing for certain. He is so not that guy.
“Come now,” God said to Moses from the bush, “and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt”. How did Moses reply? “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Then he proceeded to tell God just how “not that guy” he was. He had no sway with Pharaoh, no influence with the Hebrews, and no eloquence by which he might persuade them to hear him. Yahweh then gave him assurances and enabled him to display powerful signs so he could carry out his divine mission. Even so, Moses said, at last, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.” In other words, not by me. I’m not that guy. Moses’ reticence angered God, but it did not change His mind. This former member of the royal family of Egypt, this disgraced Hebrew-in-exile, this 80-year-old herder of his father-in-law’s sheep – was that guy. He just needed to decide that he would hear – and heed – the call of Yahweh, his God.
The message for us is obvious, isn’t it? Within the context of the local church, and the broader context of God’s kingdom, there is so much that God calls us to do. So many hearts that need encouragement, so many young people who need mentors, so many older people who need companionship, so many souls that need to hear the life-saving words of truth. Who has God called to meet these needs? We don’t need a burning bush to answer this question. He’s called you. No, not the person next to you. You. See 1 Peter 4: 10 “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Don’t think you have a special gift? Neither did Moses. Hoping God will send someone else? Who is He going to send? You’re that guy.
Wise Marge Cooper told a story at our Summer Town Hall a while back about a woman who had identified a pressing church need by observing “Someone needs to do something about that.” Marge’s response? “You can be a someone.” Someone needs to visit widows. Someone needs to open their home in hospitality. Someone needs to teach our young people that God loves them. You can be that someone.
In this age and every age, God is looking for men and women who will stand in the gap, who will go forward in faith, who will, in His assurance and by His power, serve boldly beyond their self-perceived capabilities. You are one of those men/women. So, here’s the question that you face alongside your brother Moses: Are you ready to lead, to serve, to hear and heed the call of Yahweh, to be that man or woman? Here’s a thought for you to consider: God thinks you are.