I've Got Nothin'

He should have been dead before his first birthday. But he was rescued. Raised by a princess among her people, the enemies and captors of his own. Emotionally explosive with a finely honed sense of justice, resulting in the murder of an abuser as well as the rescue and assistance of women set upon by tradesmen. Exiled from his palatial home yet entrusted with the business holdings of his father-in-law. Moses was a complex man with a complicated history when he encountered Yahweh at the burning bush on Mt. Horeb.

Like most of us, Moses was keenly aware of all of his flaws and shortcomings. In his time out shepherding Jethro’s flocks, I wonder how often his mind had dissected his own missteps that led him out of a life of comfort and into the hardships of livestock farming in the wilderness? Had he spent hours thinking “If only I had…”? Did he look at his wife and child and decide that they were worth all of the difficulties he had faced? Was his a standard human life, with its unique backstory, individual trials and triumphs, and very own set of internal wranglings? If we read Exodus, it sure looks like it.

Which means that, no matter how messy or mundane our own story may be, when Yahweh calls our name, if we will turn aside from the path we’re on to see what He wants, we may find, like Moses, that we’re more than we think we are.

God called Moses by name. He told Moses who He was: “The God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, I AM WHO I AM.” I love that when God calls us aside, He always makes it personal and starts with reminding us of His own might and person. It’s not a power play, but a confidence-builder. It’s our Father saying to us, “Trust me, kiddo. I’m asking you to do this thing. I know you, your capacities and incapabilities. I also want you to remember who I am and that I’m not asking you to go by yourself. I’m with you every step of the way.”

Every one of Moses’ completely valid arguments : exiled status from Pharoah’s palace,  lack of social standing and political authority among the Israelites, the likely incredulity of others when told that he had actually seen God, his personal communication style not being terribly charismatic; all of them were answered in one of two ways: “I am with you, trust me,” or “here’s what I can do with what you do have.” Yahweh didn’t feed Moses empty flattery. He didn’t say that Moses was judging himself too harshly. He didn’t refute his shortcomings. Y’all. HE KNEW THE HUMANITY AND WEAKNESS OF THE MAN HE HAD CALLED. He also knew that if that man would trust Him with the little that he did have, God could and would work the miraculous for an entire nation through him.

That is beautifully true of every one of us that has heard God call our name. All of those failings that you’ve turned over a thousand times in your head? He knows them. The regrets you have in your past and the ongoing repercussions of them on your present? He’s aware. The lovely things that have come into your life that aren’t what you ever expected but that you hold dear now? He was happy to give you those good gifts.
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That thing that He’s asked you to do WITH HIM? That really big, scary thing that will draw you back into relationships that were dicey the last time you saw the person? The task that will have you collaborating with people way out of your league? The battle you’re about to wade into with skills and training that leave you feeling exposed and vulnerable? The calling that’s going to lead you out of the comfortable anonymity of the wilderness and into a judgmental public eye? He knows exactly who you are. He chose you. He called you. He is enough to bring you through it victorious. Like Moses, if you trust Him, you’ll make it from the questioning and doubt of Exodus 4 to the boldness, confidence, and effectiveness of Exodus 7 – 12. In your weakness, you will find His strength made perfect.