God wants me to do what?!

You don’t have to have read the Bible or go to church to have heard of Moses.

Moses told Pharaoh to let his people go, parted the Red Sea, and led Israel into the promised land. He wrote the first five books of the Bible and is mentioned in 31 of the 66 books of the Bible. Moses’ life was so influential and dramatic, it’s been made into a movie multiple times.

Moses is remembered for his leadership, for giving Israel the Ten Commandments and the Law, and for being a man of great faith (Hebrews 11:23-29). To most of us, a life like Moses’ seems out of reach.

But Moses wasn’t a superhero. He was a man who said yes to God’s seemingly crazy plan. And God wants to do the same through you.

Saying Yes to Your Next Step

What if I told you that “yes” wasn’t Moses’ first answer to God? In Exodus 3, God tells Moses He wants to send him to rescue Israel.

Moses’ response was a lot like ours: “Really, God? I think you have the wrong guy.”

What is God asking you to do? Is it a new and unexpected job or an addition to your family? Maybe you’re being called into ministry like Moses.

We can say “yes” even with our mess.

We’ve all made excuses when it came time to step up to a challenge. We experience fear, doubt, and uncertainty. We may look at Moses and think we could never do what he did, but he wasn’t always a superstar.

Moses doubted God. When they first met, Moses was a murderer, excuse maker, and a self-sufficient, do-it-yourself type of man. Before Moses became the hero of faith we remember, he had to let go of two key things.  

Two Things That Stop Us From Moving Past Our Doubt

1. Past failures

Moses did things his way and in his time. He became a murderer in a failed attempt to be a hero (Exodus 2:11-15). Like Moses, we might have a past we regret. Maybe it was an addiction or even an abortion. It’s easy to become afraid and confused when trying to live life on our own. God’s call to Moses challenged him to face his past.

Moses learned to accept it wasn't his greatness that would rescue the people; it’s God's greatness that makes the difference (Exodus 3:12). God was able to use Moses not because he was perfect but because he was willing. Like Moses, we can say “yes” even with our mess.

2. Present resources and human limitations

Moses felt like he was unqualified for the task. He wasn’t a good public speaker, and he lacked the charisma and skill needed to lead a nation. But God reminded Moses that He would equip him for the task at hand (Exodus 4:1-17).

Over and over, God tells Moses, “I will help you.” The same is true for us today. Whatever God calls us to, He will bring us through.

Moses moved out of fear and doubt and into a life characterized by faith and courage. Moses the difference maker became acquainted with God’s ways, not just his deeds (Psalm 103:7). Moses’ confidence as a leader grew as he followed God step by step.

Like Moses, we can let God change our perspective from our own lack of resources to His abundant power and resources; from doubt in ourselves to faith in Jesus. As we spend time with God and practice obedience, we, too, will see His faithfulness.

Will you say “yes” to what God is asking of you today?