Has the Lord ever impressed upon you to teach young children, start a Bible Study, give your testimony, be on a welcoming committee or serve in some other capacity? Did you feel inadequate, unworthy, fearful of new challenges or that you were too old? Perhaps you just believed that there was someone more qualified to do it. We have probably all felt that way at times. People in Bible times were no different.
When God said to Moses, “Go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10 NIV1984), Moses was quite reluctant. “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” (4:10). Refuting that argument, the Lord asked, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (4:11). Still unsure, Moses replied, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it” (4:13). Although not pleased with Moses, God chose his brother, Aaron, to be his spokesman. When Moses became obedient to the great task before him, this was his legacy: “No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt…” (Deut. 34:10-11).Whom God calls, He equips.
Jeremiah was also reluctant to heed God’s call, thinking he was too young, and perhaps a little fearful, to speak to the rebellious nation of Israel. God called Jeremiah and equipped him to become a great prophet.
To the Corinthian believers, Paul said, “…I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God… I came to you in weakness and fear, and much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (I Cor. 2:1-5).
In hiring, big companies look for qualified people who are knowledgeable, confident and goal-oriented. God chooses people differently. Paul reminded the Corinthian believers: “Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards… not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things…so that no one may boast before him” (I Cor. 1:26-29). Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
If called to serve somewhere, dispel negative thoughts. Pray and trust God’s wisdom. He will give you everything you need to be successful. Paul said he was “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). Later, he said, “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil. 2:13).
Years ago, when asked to write Junior High Sunday School literature, God took away my feelings of uncertainty. Since then, He has given me numerous opportunities to use my pen for Him. Whom God calls, He equips. Believe it!
