I had packed almost everything in boxes. Many friends were coming to help me move, but . . .
I had to drive the rental truck – my name was on the contract, I was paying for it, and the rules said I had to drive.
I was afraid. I am short – only 5′ 1″. Could my feet even reach the pedals? Don’t laugh. When I drove my dad’s old Dodge pickup years ago, I had to use TWO pillows behind my back (okay, you can chuckle a little at that visual picture).
And this rented behemoth had a 16 foot cargo space. How could I steer this container ship down the narrow roads?
Did you notice something in my story above? Count the “I” s. I was totally self-centered.
I felt like Moses – totally inadequate for the task ahead. Read the story in Exodus 4:
“10 Moses said to the LORD, “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.” 11 The LORD said to him, “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? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” 13 But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” 14 Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.”
Maybe you wondered, like I did, why Moses was so hesitant. After all, he was raised in Pharaoh’s household and trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. On the other hand, because he did know the Egyptians involved, he also knew they were powerful enemies. And he had been alone, tending sheep in the wilderness for 40 years. So I guess his lack of self-confidence is understandable.
Of course, Moses didn’t know several things. He had to be reminded of who God was — the God of the promises to his ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God told Moses His personal name: “I am who I am” – the eternal, ever-present, Self-existent Creator. God had already sent a helper to Moses, his brother Aaron, to act as a spokesman. Also, Moses’ time as a shepherd actually was good preparation for the next 40 years he would spend herding the Israelites through that same wilderness he knew so well while caring for the sheep.
God is always with us, and He also gives us the tools we need to do His work. God became angry at Moses, not because he felt inadequate, but because he wasn’t willing to go when God called and told him He would take care of things.
So how did God prepare me for this move? First, he sent many friends to load and unload the truck.
And remember my dad’s ancient chariot? — manual transmission, full size pickup, no power steering. Compare that to the air-conditioned rental truck with a seat which slid far enough forward, automatic transmission, power steering,
And training to use it? For years I had watched my brother-in-law wrestle his motor home down the roads and use its side mirrors to back into tight places, so I knew what to do with the rental equipment.
Too often I focus on myself and my problems, rather than on Christ and his provision. I love what Prof. Howie Hendricks of Dallas Seminary said: “There is no such thing as faith apart from risk-taking. . . . The people who are most secure in Jesus Christ shouldn’t be scared to try new things.”
So, what are you afraid of doing?
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
Lines from Lynn 