I was reading from Exodus today during my morning prayers. It is actually a continuation from yesterday’s reading where Moses encounters the burning bush, and therefore, comes face to face with God. After getting over his surprise that the bush is not being consumed, he hears God speaking to him. God has a special task for Moses. Moses’ response would be comical if it wasn’t so sad.
First, he beats around the bush a bit (pun intended). He doesn’t want to come out and say to God that he isn’t willing to go. He makes up all sorts of excuses, and he won’t stop pestering God with questions and reservations such as, “What if they don’t listen to me.” After they go back and forth for awhile, and Moses has used up every excuse he can think of, he just says, “Can’t you send someone else?”
Can’t you just imagine the big sigh that God heaved about then? “What’s it going to take to get through to this guy,” he probably thought. Poor Moses just seems so pitiful and ridiculous. Who, when lucky enough to come face to face with God, would argue? And for so long! He tried to weasel out of something that made him uncomfortable.
But then I often think that if we are comfortable, we are probably not right with God. It’s the complete opposite of the prosperity gospel, I know. But I think it’s true. Jesus challenged pretty much everything when he lived on earth. Those who were most comfortable in life were those who were most uncomfortable with the way Jesus lived and taught. Those who followed Jesus did not have the security of a home or an easy set of legalistic rules to stick to. They had to interact with undesirables like tax collectors and lepers and prostitutes. Throughout the old and new testaments we see God bringing people out of their comfort zones. Jonah was asked to help save people who were his enemies (which made him quite bitter). There are so many examples.
I do pity Moses a bit. The guy is only human after all. And I can see a bit of myself in him. It’s not like God speaks to me from a burning bush. But there have been times in my life when I’ve believed he was “speaking” to me. It’s so easy to say, “Oh, I have a child to take care of,” or “I don’t have enough money,” or, “Great! I’ll do that when I’m retired…or after I finish school….” etc. etc. etc.
When I first started feeling the call to be a Child Ambassador I resisted strongly. It makes me uncomfortable to speak to strangers (or sometimes even friends or family) about giving up their money to sponsor a child. I thought about all the anxiety I’d have about those social interactions and all the time it would take to plan events. I came up with every excuse I could. (Not so different from poor ‘ol Moses, eh?) But God was patient. I kept receiving post cards and emails. I was seeing things about Child Ambassadors everywhere! I wasn’t being let off the hook. Finally, when I was out of excuses, I said “yes,” and it was worth it.
It makes me wonder what other opportunities I am missing. Where else am I ignoring God’s call? Where else am I staying comfortable instead of being right with God?
Why after so many examples of God being right did Moses not learn from his mistake? I don’t know…all I do know is that I hope I do!