We are God's Workmen

"Moses said to the Lord, 'O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.' The Lord said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.' But Moses said, 'O Lord, please send someone else to do it.' Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses and He said, 'What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you..."

I can hear God's sass now: "Who gives man the ability to speak?? ME. I can help you! But if you won't do it, I've already got someone else who can. Your brother can do a great job- don't worry."

Lol. But seriously guys, if we feel the need to question and avoid God's instructions, He will find an alternative way to fulfill His plans.

Moses practically argues with God about his ability to work as God's mouthpiece- he doubts God's place to use himself as the leader of this mission. Moses doesn't feel capable or qualified, and he asks God for someone else to do what God has asked. SO GOD USES HIS BROTHER instead.

When we avoid and question and refuse God's instruction and path for our lives- when we don't obey what He has called us to- He will find another way to make it happen. God doesn't need us! But He wants us!! He chooses us (!) to work on His behalf and to display His love and power. But if we refuse, He will find another way to make that happen. He is willing to help us and equip us (4:12) to handle the hard, intimidating, and scary things that He may ask us to do! But He can't force us- that is our free will and choice.

When God gives you opportunities to serve and lead for His glory, don't refuse! If He is instructing and leading you, don't doubt His plan and dismiss your ability. God chooses us, and HE equips us and grows us to meet needs and build His kingdom- why would we ever want to miss that chance?! That is not to say another opportunity won't be given to us- our God is a god of second chances- but I know I'd hate to miss any chance I had to reveal God's power , and shine His love and glory, to everyone around me.

We Need Only to Obey

"'So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.' But Moses said to God, 'Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' And God said, 'I will be with you'...Moses said to God, 'Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is His name?' Then what shall I tell them?' God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:10-14^) 

As I was reading this the other day, through chapter 3 (and really the whole story with Moses), I realized that this was a great reminder of another way God works in our lives: If/when we take the time to talk with and listen to God, He will give us very clear instructions for what we are supposed to do in any situation, whether for the long-term or just temporarily.

In this passage, God told Moses exactly what he needed to say and do for the Israelites to believe God had sent him; God gave Moses specific instructions to get the job done. 

Through the passage, there's very little hint as to how the people will respond to what God is telling Moses to do. There's few ideas about what they'll think or say or do as a reaction toward God's instruction. 

If you think about it, God may only tell you what you need to be concerned with regarding any plan, so that you're not tempted or inclined to stray from His instruction. If you're worried about how people will argue or put you down when going through God's instructions, you're likely to back-down and talk yourself out of following-through; we as people don't like to be opposed or made to look foolish or silly, but that can often happen when people who don't see or understand your motives and 

reasoning are more than ready to mock you. A great example of this is the story of Noah (Genesis 6). God told Noah to build the ark; He gave dimensions and specific details that Noah simply obeyed, but Noah's obedience didn't come without lots of questioning and joking and ridicule. I mean, think about it: your neighbor Noah decides to build a massive boat, because God told him the earth would be flooded someday?? Talk about an eye-sore, sitting in the yard- how weird is that guy. 

But we don't need to worry about what other people will think or do in response to our God-directed actions, we only need to obey what God had told us to do. You may face a lot of opposition and questioning, but that is for God to handle. He will follow through and fulfill every promise: "The elders of Israel will listen to you...After that, he [Pharaoh] will let you go" (vs. 18a, 20b).  And what do you know, Pharaoh did (Exodus 12:31). 

God may not reveal to us the reactions of our peers as He tells us how to handle anything, and He may not even reveal to us the ultimate outcome of our obedience in the beginning. We often go into many things unsure of the result to come. But we can be sure that if we come to God, and seek Him and ask for guidance and instruction, for anything, He will tell us everything we need to know. 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find..." Matthew  7:7