Those of us in church tech ministry can look to Moses as one of our earliest predecessors. Why? Consider this:
•He loved working in obscurity and anonymity (40 years as a shepherd in the desert).
•He was drawn towards special effects (he came towards the burning bush instead of running away).
•He wasn't great with people (felt that his countrymen wouldn't listen to him when he returned to Egypt).
•He felt vastly unqualified and unprepared for what God had called him to do (he made excuses when God asked him to bring freedom to the Israelites).
While some of this list may be based on overly broad stereotypes, I do believe that many of us in the church tech world can identify with the last item on the list, if nothing else.
At some point in our ministry journey, we've probably found ourselves way over our head and wondered whether we were even qualified to be doing this.
Many of us may feel naturally inclined towards the technical nature of our job, but way over our head on the ministry side. Some of us may feel comfortable with a slower, simpler technology flow, but completely incapable of leading our ministry into the next generation of technological growth and vision.
Regardless of which perspective, it's natural at some point for all of us to doubt our position. Am I the right fit for this role? Am I capable of doing what I've been asked to do? Is this even really where I need to be serving?
The truth is that we can act just like Moses did. Even though he felt inferior and unqualified, he was still willing to take bold steps to trust God's process.
In times where we may doubt our abilities and calling, there are three important things that we must all remember:
1. We will only go as far as our spiritual life will take us.
Moses probably never would have stepped towards God at the burning bush if he didn't already have some sort of solid spiritual basis to rely on.
When we serve in ministry, it’s not about us. It’s about what God can do through us.
During his 40 years in the desert, Moses lived with his wife's family, including his father-in-law, Jethro.
Exodus later shows us that Jethro was a man of incredible intuition, wisdom, and leadership ability. But he's also described several times as a “priest” of Midian.
I'd like to think that during those 40 years Moses spent in the desert, he was able to rely on Jethro as a spiritual mentor and someone who could help Moses grow in his faith and understanding of God.
As we toil in the shadows of anonymity in our ministry, we often forego our own worship experience at the expense of helping create one for other people. But during those times, we can't forget about the fact that we are spiritual beings also.
Despite our efforts and talents, God still wants a personal relationship with us too, not just one predicated on “working” or “serving.” It's critical that we take time to develop ourselves spiritually and surround ourselves with Godly mentors and advisors like Jethro.
We need that level of confidence and familiarity in and with God so that when he calls during an out-of-the-ordinary situation (like through a burning bush), we are able to recognize his voice.
2. When we aren't capable, we must rely on those around us.
Moses made no secret of the fact that he didn't think he would be able to do what God needed. His amazing burning bush experience quickly turned into a “woe is me” list of all of the reasons and excuses why he couldn't do what God was asking him to do.
God knows exactly what we are capable of; after all, he's the One who created us and gave us our gifts and talents in the first place. He knows where our limitations are, and he's not asking us to do something we aren't capable of.
God provided a solution to Moses: his brother Aaron. In the areas Moses had a natural weakness (mainly public speaking), Aaron was a complement to offset that weakness with his own strength.
Instead of carrying all of the weight ourselves, we instead need to reach out to others close to us and use their strengths to serve in tandem with ours.
Even though it sometimes feels like we're supposed to do everything ourselves as technical artists, nothing could be farther from the truth. Instead of carrying all of the weight ourselves, we instead need to reach out to others close to us and use their strengths to serve in tandem with ours.
Relationships in ministry are critical, and we have to fight the natural tendency to look only within ourselves. When we feel that our weakness abounds, we must actively search out others' strengths.
3. We must focus on God's abilities, not ours.
When God has a critical mission to perform, he's looking for willing people who can serve him during that season. He looks for the people who are the most available, not necessarily those who are the most talented.
When we're overflowing with natural talent, we can sometimes blur the line between where our talent stops and where God's grace and power begin. Being good at something can sometimes make it harder to rely on God's success.
That's why it's good to be in over our heads sometimes, because we have no choice but to rely on God to meet us during our shortcomings. As Paul says, God's grace “is sufficient for you, for [His] power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 8:9 NIV)
We aren't supposed to have it all figured out. That's what God is for, just ask Gideon. In Judges 6-7, God used the weakest, most terrified man in Israel to bring them to freedom. Why? So God (not man) could get the glory.
We must first take the step of faith to follow where he's calling us and trust that he'll equip us along the journey.
When we serve in ministry, it's not about us. It's not about what we are capable of or what we can or can't do. It's about what God can do through us.
God doesn't call the equipped; he equips the called. But we must first take the step of faith to follow where he's calling us and trust that he'll equip us along the journey.
When we're over our head, or we feel discouraged or disqualified, we must remember that God has us there for a reason. Just like Queen Esther was told, you have come to your position for such a time as this! (Esther 4:14). There's nobody who can fill your role better than you. That's why you were created and called to do it!
He is a faithful God who will never leave us nor forsake us. And, as Paul notes in Philippians 1:6 (NIV), “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
So I can't lose heart or confidence. I can't fall victim to the comparison with others about what they have and I don't.
All that matters is that, like Moses, God has us in this place for a reason. And when He calls us to do a great thing, nothing is impossible!
