Moses

I love Moses.

Of all the humans in the Bible, both men and women, he inspires me more than any other.

It is so amazing to me to think about a man with whom God spoke, face to face. A man who experienced such intimacy with God that his own face became radiant.

Yet what inspires me about Moses' story is what takes place long before that moment on Mt. Sinai when he has a close encounter with the Almighty. It's a scene that takes place in the middle of nowhere, when God calls out to a man on the run and changes his plans in a mighty way.

Here he is, an Egyptian prince turned shepherd. A husband. A father. A murderer. Nevermind that he was trying to protect a fellow Israelite. He struck a man and killed him, and as a result fled the land where he had been raised in the palace of the pharaoh.

Enter Zipporah, the beautiful princess of a Midianite priest. Suddenly, things are looking up for Moses. He gets the girl, a job, and a safe place to live.

Except that just when he thought he had it all figured out, God came down with a presence like fire. He spoke from the flames that danced about the branches of a bush, and the course of Moses' life was forever changed.

This is what inspires me about the story of Moses. He didn't do anything to earn the calling God placed on his life. He was a sinner, just like I am. But for some reason, God chose him as a vessel to display His mighty power.

Now, Moses isn't too thrilled with the whole idea. In fact, he actually argues with Him. "I'm not good enough. What if they don't believe you sent me? I'm not an eloquent speaker." And finally, "Please send someone else." And this is why I really love Moses. I don't like my plans being changed either, even if it is by Almighty God.

I'm ashamed to admit that, like Moses, I have had my share of arguments with God. Because even though I know He has a good and perfect plan, I'm still afraid of the unknown.

What I find interesting is that God did not get angry with Moses until he asked Him to send someone else. As long as Moses was expressing his fears to God, God answered him reassuringly. "I will be with you. I will perform mighty signs and wonders. I will give you the words to say." It was only when those things didn't satisfy Moses and he asked God to let him off the hook that God's anger burned against him.

I believe God desires for us to be open and honest with Him about our fears. He already knows they're in our hearts anyway. For me, there is something so helpful and healing in just speaking those words to Him. Laying it all out there, in the open, rather than denying that I feel them.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

These are the verses I cling to in those moments when God seems to be changing my plans, and I'm afraid of what that might mean. God invites me to bring my requests to Him. He already knows them, yes, but He so desperately wants me to come to Him with all my fears, all my needs, all my desires, and pour my heart out to Him.

And when I do, I find it much easier to say, "God, you know how I feel, but I trust You, and the only place I want to be is in the center of Your will." That's the peace He promises. It's what gives me the strength to say, "Thank you for going with me," instead of, "Please send someone else."

As you know, Moses did obey, and God did what He had promised. And, I believe, Moses' willingness to bare his soul to his Creator led to a relationship more intimate than any other human has ever experienced with God on earth.

Moses saw God face to face. Someday I will, too. Until then, I'll share my heart with Him and commit to following His call. What a privilege to be used by Him!