By Guest Writer
There was an older gentleman in my hometown who took me under his wing when I was in middle school. He gave me my first motorcycle ride, taught me the importance of a firm handshake, and explained how to smooth talk my way out of a tight spot.
One summer he hired me to work for him and dubbed me his “official representative.” It wasn’t as fancy as it sounds. My work usually consisted of trips to the hardware store for more nails and calling customers to tell them their order was ready (or not). I was essentially a glorified errand boy.
Whenever I was acting on his behalf, he’d always say, “Remember, if anyone gives you trouble, tell ‘em Larry sent you.” Larry knew that no one would listen to me, and so when I spoke, he wanted everyone to know they weren’t listening to me—they were listening to Larry through me. That made all the difference.
When the angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in the burning bush, something very similar was happening—only far more important. In fear for his life, Moses fled to Midian from his home in Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster. He made a nice life for himself there. He married and settled down, and soon Egypt became a distant memory. But then, after years of living the inconspicuous life of a shepherd, Moses was thrust into the very center stage of redemptive history.
Trembling, Moses slipped off his sandals and rested his bare feet on the holy ground as God introduced Himself. Moses could hardly believe his ears when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Feeling completely overwhelmed and utterly unqualified for the job, Moses questioned God. Why me? What am I to say? Who am I to say sent me? Through His patient response, God essentially said, “Just tell them ‘I AM sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).
The truth is, God knew Moses wasn’t qualified for the job. He also knew that Pharaoh wouldn’t listen to the voice of Moses. But that’s okay, because Moses wasn’t acting on his own behalf. God was speaking and acting through Moses, and in the end, that made all the difference.
We may not be hearing God’s voice from the midst of a burning bush, or leading a nation of captives to freedom from their oppressors, but each day we live and move as representatives of God in the world. It is an act of faith to do what the Lord has called us to do without relying upon human confidence and credentials, but to instead remember that our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
Let His strength be perfected in your weakness today (2 Corinthians 12:9). In the name of the Lord, answer God’s call on your life, and as you do, trust God to do the heavy lifting. Ask Him to show you more of His glory and goodness (Exodus 33:18). That’s what He did for Moses. He will for you too.
Written by Nate Shurden
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