This one is a tribute to all of my over-thinking technical friends out there.
A few weeks ago our devotional looked at living life on mission as technical artists in our local churches. Specifically, that the mission we have been called to as followers of Christ extends far beyond our weekend services. I would like to dive a little deeper into this mission we have been given to go and make disciples. What happens when the opportunities to "go" seem too big and you feel incapable, inadequate and afraid? What if you think of yourself as “too introverted”, “socially awkward”, or “not a people person?” The call remains the same and I would challenge that you are in a prime spot for God to build your faith and confidence in Him.
As I read different stories in scripture of how God worked in and through different people, we can identify with many of them. One with whom I identify with is Moses. We have the story of how God called him in Exodus 3 and 4.
We have Moses; doing the job he's good at…keeping a flock…when God interrupts his life. His mission: bring the people of God out of Egypt.
OK, time out.
Think about what's happening. Moses is wanted for murder in Egypt, which was his whole point of leaving that land. Then we have God instructing him to return there in order to carry out this mission of epic proportions.
Moses has questions.
Who am I to go? If I do go, then who do I tell them you are? But what if they do not believe me or listen to me? But what if I'm too slow in speech and not eloquent?
God was patient. As Moses played these scenarios out in his mind and asked questions God was faithful to answer. God dealt with his questions in loving, patient and gracious ways. God tells him who to talk to, what to say, what will happen when he says it, what God will do as a result. If you read the story, you will read of the miraculous signs that were given to help Moses in his unbelief. It wasn't until Moses declined and said, “Please send someone else” that God's anger burned against Him. (It could be noted that he was still gracious in His anger by sending Aaron with Moses.)
What does this story have to do with us? I think this story demonstrates that God welcomes our questions and fears. We have been personally handed a mission to go out and make disciples. There will be times when our fears, insecurities and concerns arise.
- What if I bring up Jesus and then the relationship gets uncomfortable and awkward?
- How do I even introduce the Gospel into the conversation?
- What if they reject me?
- What do I say after I introduce myself?
The list could go on. God welcomes your questions. I believe that as you bring them up to Him He is patient with your asking. He will provide the answers as well. That's where faith comes in. It's easy to have faith when you can control the outcome…but then if you can control it, what's the point of faith? This is a call for us to exercise our faith in God in the mission to which we are called. Go! And make disciples!
“By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.” Hebrews 11:29 NASB.
