Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Participation in Divine Mission
Exodus 3:1-14

One time I was in a Youth Fellowship meeting, and we were discussing if we had a supernatural and dramatic encounter with God (e.g., an angel appeared, or God met us in a storm), and gave us a mission to fulfill, will we obey? One person, without any doubt and hesitation, said, “If we had that type of experience, then Yes, for sure. There’s no doubt about it.” I was thinking afterward that if I ever had that encounter my response would be the same. 

In today’s passage, we read about Moses’ burning bush experience. Moses understood that God wanted to use him for his mission to save Israelites from Pharaoh and take them to the land that flows with milk and honey. If it was my friend, he would have readily accepted the mission and would have been on his way. However, it was intriguing to see that Moses hesitated and started reasoning with God. He provided multiple excuses, such as his status (v. 11), asking God’s identity (v. 13), people’s unbelief (Ch 4 v. 1), speech impediment (Ch 4 v. 10), and at the end, he rejected the mission (Ch 4 v. 13). However, God still wanted him to fulfill this mission, and Moses relented.

We always have this image of God as this fearful being who does not reason, and we should obey without questioning. When God calls us, we always think that we will go forward with his will without hesitation. In Lord’s Prayer, we pray that may His will be done. Moses had an apparent unwillingness, and he rejected God’s will. Did God leave him? No. Did God curse him out of spite for providing excuses? No. We see God who validated him with his presence and accepted his questions and unbelief. 

In our lives, we excuse ourselves from the mission God has provided to us. Just like Moses, we need clarification, have doubts about our talents and ability, and in the end, we just reject. God has equipped us with everything needed to fulfill his mission but it is up to us to accept it. Our limitations should not stop us from participating in his mission. We are not asked to be successful in the divine mission but it is the Holy Spirit that equips us to fulfill it. Moses faced many challenges and he was not always successful but God equipped him to stand strong amidst all the trials and tribulations. The Holy Spirit provides us with the strength and wisdom needed to perform the mission diligently. Our hearts and minds should be willing to accept the mission that God has called us for. If it seems intimidating, remember that we have been equipped with the power of Yahweh. Through prayer, God provides us with all our needs to fulfill his divine mission.
 
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to overcome our thoughts and limitations. We pray that may your spirit equip us to accept the divine mission that you have chosen us for. Amen.

Sherin Abraham
St. Andrews Mar Thoma Church, Yonkers NY
 
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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