You're it.

This week Jeff and I were laughing and reminiscing about how clueless we were in our first years of ministry and marriage. Oh dear. We seriously didn’t have a clue, but praise God He used us and graciously let us play on His playground in make disciples in our own bumbling way.  We both agreed that someday we would look back and say, “Ohhh…do you remember when we planted Renew?! Oh we were so clueless! What on earth were we doing??!!”

Praise God for His infinite grace.

I’m always encouraged when I see who God chooses to use for His glory in the Scriptures.   Noah, Jacob, Rachel & Leah, Joseph–all of whom had rather obvious shortcomings. Yet they were used for God’s purposes. How encouraging is that?

Though all of these characters has weaknesses, there’s one who was particularly aware of these weaknesses. Too aware.

Conscious of self; self-conscious.

In Exodus 4 God gives Moses the great call to return to Egypt and free God’s people from slavery.  He has already witnessed the burning bush, he’s already had lengthy conversations with the Lord about all this, and now he witnesses two more miraculous signs (staff becoming a snake and hand becoming leprous) confirming that God is indeed calling him to this task. No one else in Scripture thus far has had such a clear calling.  No one else gets a burning bush.

God is making it clear: Moses, you’re it. 

But Moses is quick to make excuses, right? 

“Oh Lord, I am not eloquent … I am slow of speech and of tongue.” (4:10)

Oh Lord, let me go ahead and tell you all about my shortcomings.  I’m really not the man for the job. You must have me mixed up with someone else. My mouth is really not the mouth to use.  There are much better mouths out there.

God’s response?

“Who has made man’s mouth?…Is it not I, the LORD?” (v.11)

How ridiculous is it that Moses is complaining about this mouth.  He is speaking to the God who created it. How incredibly absurd to complain about an obstacle that God Himself created and controls!

That one sentence can put our entire life in perspective.

“But God, the economy isn’t good right now.”

“Who controls the economy?”

“But God, I’m not a gifted leader.”

“Who made the gifts that are deposited in you? Who put them there? Who knows what they are better than you?”

“But God we don’t have enough money.”

“Who made money? Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills? Who gives and takes away? Who rules economies?”

There are no excuses before the God of all things. Before the one who made all things, controls all things, and uses all things for our good and His glory.

The next time we catch ourselves protesting, “But God…”

Remember: Who made ________? Who controls it all? Who is able to do all things?

The God of all creation holds all things in His hand. Let’s keep that in perspective today, when circumstances overwhelm us and our shortcomings eclipse His greatness. God made it all. He is greater than our weaknesses. In fact, He’s glorified in them. This frees us from excuses, once and for all. Whatever He’s called us to He has equipped us for.  And that even applies to the most terrifying calling in the world–that of raising children! Be encouraged, sister.

God made you for this. You’re it.

Thanks for reading.