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Listen while you read: "Jesus Friend Of Little Children"1 (Lyrics) |
Exodus 4:13 – But Moses said, "Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else." (NIV 2011)
When I read about how reluctant Moses was to do God's bidding, it makes me smile. Getting people to volunteer in church for leadership or ministry roles can be just as hard, too. Some folks feel as if they're not good enough, others think that they have too much going on to be effective, while others hope that someone else will step forward to do the work. Year in and year out, volunteers are needed to continue Christ's mission, but it seems lately that more folks don't feel called to work for God.
I understand how they feel. After more than thirty years in ministry and attending thousands of meetings, I wonder how effective or essential those meetings have been. In the short term, each one of them has been important; in the eternal scheme of things, however, perhaps not so much.
Moses didn't want to respond to do God's work. He felt that it was a mistake and that someone else more qualified could do it. But God doesn't make mistakes, and He personally sought out Moses for the task. No matter how inadequate or reluctant Moses felt, God would not be thwarted. Moses was the right person, so God wasn't going to take "No" for an answer.
Perhaps you've been asked to do something special in your church or have been invited to consider a leadership role in your congregation. Maybe you feel unqualified or overstretched, so you would like to say "No" and have someone else fulfill the call. However, before you reject the invitation, honestly ask yourself this question: "Is this something that God wants me to do?" If it is, then no matter how inadequate or how burdened you feel, know this: God does not make mistakes, and He will help you to fulfill the role.
Points to ponder: What can I do for my church? What is God presently asking me to undertake and accomplish?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your ministry and mission continue in our congregations, communities, and around the world. You call on Christian people to be part of Your work on earth. Help us to hear Your invitation and to cheerfully accept what You need us to do. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
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So true.
Very true John.
Thanks John for sharing this devotional with us. Blessings.
Dear John Stuart,
Thank you.
Your devotional reminds me of recently, when I responded that I would prefer not to make a speech in Sunday School about something that was suggested that I do, but that I would be happy to incidentally join in sharing comments about the matter in the adult Sunday School.
Maybe I should reconsider and offer a very short presentation.
John
I was called to be an elder in my senior years and at the same time, called to be a rep elder in presbytery.
Both were very difficult. But I have no regrets.
I do think also, though, when people don’t appear to chair committees or run programs it may also be a sign that program has run its course.
Bless you for your leadership efforts.
And you know the old hymn, We shall meet, we shall meet, at Jesus’ feet? If we are going to have meetings in heaven I’m not going! (ha ha)