Send Someone Else

God can work through what you think disqualifies you

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This morning I read Exodus 3 and 4, when God meets Moses at the burning bush.

God tells Moses that he has seen the suffering of his people. He intends to liberate them and lead them into the land he promised their ancestors.

Then he gives Moses the mission:

“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh.”
—Exodus 3:10

What stood out to me was the back-and-forth between Moses and God as Moses tries to find reasons not to be the one.

Never mind that he was standing in the presence of God, speaking through a bush that burned without being consumed. Even this unique manifestation of God was not enough to convince him that things would be ok.

From that point on, Moses begins making excuses.

• Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?

• How can you expect me to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?

• What do I say if they ask who sent me?

• They will not believe me.

• They will say I am making it up.

• I am not a good speaker.

• I am clumsy with words.

Finally, Moses says it plainly:

“Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
—Exodus 4:13

God answers every objection.

He tells Moses that he will be with him. He tells him what to say. He gives him signs to perform. Moses does not even need to figure it all out on his own.

By the end, God is frustrated with him, but he still provides Aaron to go alongside him and speak on his behalf.

Moses does not get out of the mission. But he does not have to carry it alone.

This reminded me of Jesus sending his disciples into the world. He tells them to go, make disciples, and speak on his behalf. But he also promises to be with them. He sends his Spirit as their helper. The Spirit will give them the words they need.

Moses, you are not alone. This is my work, and I am inviting you into it.

That led me to ask God where I had been making excuses.

Where was I chickening out?

Where was I allowing fear or worry to keep me from speaking on his behalf?

The answer came quickly:

With your children.

Those words were followed by a flood of memories. I saw the ways I had withdrawn, resisted, or simply failed to engage with my children and speak the gospel to their hearts.

Even today, I often hesitate to speak boldly and clearly about the hope that is in me.

God helped me see the patterns and the reasons that had piled up over the years.

I saw.

I remembered.

I confessed.

I repented.

Then I prayed.

God reminded me that I also have my “Aaron”— his Spirit, who is with me in every moment. And ultimately, he is the one who does the delivering.

So today, as you enter the places you need to go and interact with the people God puts in your path, remember two things:

You have been called to speak the good news that God makes all things new through Jesus.

And when you begin making excuses, remember that he has not sent you alone.