No further than our fingertips

By: Joseph Murdy, Intern

Read Exodus: Chapters 3-4

“Then Moses answered, ‘But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, the Lord did not appear to you.’ The Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A Staff’.” (Ex.4:1-2)

If you have ever thought to yourself, “I just can’t do it! I’m not qualified!” or fill in the ____ with any number of excuses. This message is for you. Once upon a time in a land far away lived a man named Moses. Maybe you’ve heard of him. A seemingly ordinary man, called by God to do something life altering. What God was asking him to do was difficult and extremely dangerous. In fact, when reading this story one could understand if Moses laughed and said, “yeah, right!”Moses learned a great deal on that mountain that day. He encountered not only God, but himself.

When God spoke to Moses God explained that He had observed the suffering of His people and heard their cry. God said to Moses, “So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:7-12) If this is new to you, what comes next is sure to be familiar, “Who am I that I should go…?” We have all heard God’s call in our lives, it might be a call to liberate God’s people from their suffering, teach Sunday school, help someone in need, or even forgive what seems unforgiveable. The challenges and obstacles we face in our lives often remain just that, an obstacle yet to be overcome. A fear yet untamed, a worry yet relieved a doubt yet, or maybe a wound yet healed. Whatever the call of God may be, it is often echoed with our own excuses. “Who am I to speak against injustice? Who am I to teach? Who am I to ask for God’s love and help? Who am I…Who am I….Who am I??????

My friends, the questions and the excuses are ok to be asked and spoken. In fact, through Moses’ relentless excuses he learned about who God was, but who he was to God. Later in this story Moses’ fears of his own inadequacy are relieved when God said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt (God already knows the task will be completed), you shall worship God on this mountain.” (Ex. 3:12) What we often fear is not the call of God; it is our own sense of inadequacy. This is what holds us back. Our fears confirmed when we attempt to do things on our own. We are inadequate and helpless, unable to do anything on our own. It is only through the grace and wonder of God that God’s plans can be fulfilled through us. The E.L.C.A. has a saying, “God’s work, our hands.” We are called by God to carry out God’s mission and will in the world. God calls us, always with the promise that He will be with us every step of the way. Don’t believe me? Keep reading Exodus. When you get to the end of that, keep reading and tell me if you don’t see God every step of the way.

My favorite part about this story is 4:1-2, “Then Moses answered, ‘But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, the Lord did not appear to you.’ The Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A Staff’.” Moses was still afraid that he was not the right guy for the job. God asks Moses what he already has in his hand, it just so happens to be a staff. It is through this staff, as we will find out, that God will show signs and wonders. God calls us with the knowledge that He has already given us everything we need. We are all called to different things, and each have different gifts for the glory of God. God takes the gifts and what we already have and uses us to spread the Gospel. In Mark 6:8 we read, “Jesus ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff.” God provides everything we need; in fact, we already have all we need.

When God calls us it can be a scary thing. Certainly not because who has called us, but rather what it is that we are called to. The call of God often and most assuredly takes us out of our comfort zone and brings us to new territory we are not familiar with. The call of God comes unexpected. After reading this short reflection on this passage, read the story again, and finally take time to reflect on your gifts. God asked Moses, “what is in your hand?” Moses said, “A staff.” In searching for the possibility of answering God’s call to service in the world we need look no further than our fingertips.

Pray with me: God of all wonder and grace, there are times in my life when I hear your voice calling me to serve. I am afraid, and wonder if I can do it. Be with me in those moments of fear and doubt. Comfort me always with the assurance that you are with me always and there is nothing I can’t do without you. Amen+