I don’t know what to do, who I can trust or what’ll happen next. I don’t want to do this on on my own without asking for help because I’m afraid. These are the thoughts that were going through my head and if we’re similar you’ve got these thoughts going through yours as well.
Whether the circumstance are a series of choices that’s led to some major consequences, a financial crisis or work that seems far beyond the ability of your current knowledge, we all have moments where we need to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
My First Speaking Opportunity
It was January of 2015 and I had just gotten my first opportunity to preach at a local middle school FCA program. I was thrilled to have been given the opportunity but after I learned that over 50 people were going to be in attendance I began to allow fear to arise. I began to wonder what I would say and how I would keep their attention for 30 minutes. I had never given a sermon before and it didn’t take long until I began to say in my head “God, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to send someone else.” I didn’t think there was a way God could see me through this.
Often we wonder if God can really help us in our daily lives and in the book of Exodus we find a character named Moses that has a struggle that almost everyone can identify with. Fear and doubt. God says to Moses to approach a guy named Pharaoh who was the ruler of Egypt to release the Israelites from slavery.
Afraid But Not Forgotten
Moses was terrified about this! He was afraid that he wouldn’t say the right thing to Pharaoh or perhaps he might end up being a slave. This is what God says to Moses at the beginning of the conversation:
“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:10-12)
We see that God is telling Moses to go to Egypt to set the Israelites free and Moses’ reply is one we identify with all to much. We’ll tell God “Who am I that I could lead a sermon during FCA?” and “Who am I that I could actually make a difference?”.
Too often we say things like this and talk ourselves out of what God is trying to do in us. It doesn’t stop here for Moses, he takes it a step further even after God promised that he would be with him.
“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” (Exodus 4:12-13)
By this point we can tell that Moses is not into this plan at all. He was choosing to rely on his own ability and not the strength that God could give him. We do the same thing today and here is what happens when we do this; relying on our ability will cause us to doubt God’s ability. Why? Because when we look to ourselves we only see what we can do and not what God can do through us.
Relying on our ability will cause us to doubt God’s ability to see us through
After struggling with this decision Moses finally goes to Pharaoh and what happens causes Moses do something he didn’t think was possible. After a series of plagues sent by God to Egypt (see Exodus chapters 8-12) Pharaoh has Moses brought to him and this is what Pharaoh says to him:
During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. (Exodus 12:31)
The Israelites got to leave Egypt and they never went back. Think about how Moses’s faith changed after seeing God keep his promise. He trusted God to do anything after that moment!
The FCA That Changed Me
After I had petitioned God to send someone else to speak at FCA I knew deep down God had told me that he wanted no one else but me to do it. I didn’t have much confidence and I trusted God to give me what I needed. A verse I repeated many times said this, “So I can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper I will not be afraid.” (Hebrews 13:6) and I used that verse as a weapon to keep my fear from overtaking me.
The morning of FCA I walked in that room and as I was introduced I said that verse again under my breath and I was able to see God begin to work through me.
I would have never seen God use me to do something so awesome if I had allowed my fear to hold me back. Just like Moses I was insecure about my ability but in the end when I trusted God he saw me through just like he wants to do for you.
Application:
What is it that you’re going through right now? What’s the circumstance that you need God to see you through? Whatever it is I challenge you to seek God out by asking him to help you through and to be your guide. Seek out someone who you can trust as a mentor and express your situation and how you feel. When the circumstances are unsure seeking God through prayer and guidance while meeting with a mentor is the best thing to do.
Reflect:
- What is your situation that you want God to see you through?
- What ability of yours are you leaning on that you can surrender right now?
- Are you trusting in God’s ability to see you through and be your strength?
Bryant Westbrook 