My wife and I have been recently graced with the opportunity to help start a Narrow Way Bible school in Juneau, Alaska, under the guidance and tutiledge of our pastor and spiritual father, Dr. Sam Greene. My words simply cannot accurately describe my excitement and eager anticipation to do the will of the Lord. I've been preparing myself for many years now, and to see it presently come to pass is rather overwhelming! But once the initial surprise wore off, I started to ask myself, "Can I really do this? Am I able?" Naturally speaking, the answer is a resounding "NO!" That's why I'm grateful that it simply does not rely upon my carnal efforts and abilities.. Allow me to explain...
In the realm of natural ability, I'm not very well equipped. Many men may say this type of thing, yet use such words as a cloak for false humility. However, I can honestly say that's not the case with me. I have very little natural talent in this regard; there are better men than me who would seem more naturally fitted for such a position. In fact, I have a pretty notable speech-impediment, and therefore the prospect of being a teacher and preacher can be pretty daunting. People who have never faced this sort of thing often cannot identify, but it can become a struggle if I let it. I relate it to a blind man hoping to one day become a heart surgeon.. it's just simply unreasonable. However, as I said, my natural abilities or inabilities are simply insignificant. I heard the call of God, and that's all that really matters in the end. I find it interesting that many characters of Scripture faced these same insecurities (Exod 4:10; Jer 1:6; 1 Cor 2:1-4; 2 Cor 11:6, etc). Even the apostle Paul's speech was said to be "contemptible"! Yet God was able to help him and others overcome (Acts 7:22), and He's certainly no respecter of persons. I've already seen such victory operable when I minister.
I was reading today of the commissioning of Moses, in Exodus chapter 3. I like that word "co-missioning". I like it because it denotes a pluralistic approach: It was not to be Moses on his own. Rather, God was the one moving, and simply decided to use Moses in the process. God was the Initiator; God was the Source; God Himself was the Inventor of the whole plan. Moses was relatively insignificant; he was simply a willing vessel - an earthen medium through whom God's treasure could shine (2 Cor 4:7). Therefore, Moses' talents, abilities, fears, struggles, and the lack thereof were also insignificant.
In the commissioning of Moses, the Bible gives us a short glimpse into the few qualifications required. We would think, from carnal reasoning, that Moses must be superbly humanly accredited, have all his proverbial ducks in a row, etc. before such a lofty plan would ever come to pass. After all, we're talking about Moses being used to fulfill a 400 year old promise, the liberation of God's people from their bondage (Gen 15:13-14 with Exod 3:7-8). However, as usual, our thinking simply does not align with that of our precious, sovereign God. Let's examine the principle things that God required of Moses, in order to use him to fulfil His will...
Willingness. Moses' commission began with the burning bush, and his turning aside to see the "great sight" (Exod 3:2-3). This speaks to of at least two truths. First, a man must be willing. God will never force His will upon anyone. It wasn't until Moses "turned aside to see" that "God called unto him out of the midst of the bush". Moses' proper and willing response was "Here am I" (Exod 3:4). If God has called you, what is your response? Are we willing to suffer for His sake? Secondly, this instance speaks to us of Moses' response to the manifest presence of God (of which the fiery, burning bush is symbolic). Jesus has always solicited a response from creation (Matt 11:16-17; 1 Sam 3:4-11), and such a response will always be a qualifying factor for any would-be man of God. A man in love with God's presence will be a man who is mightily used.
Humility. I believe another determining factor in the commissioning of Moses was genuine humility. In Exodus 3:5, the Bible tells us "And [God] said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground". Moses' obedience to God's demand was a confession of personal defilement and unworthiness to stand in the presence of absolute holiness. A man who recognizes his own awful and needy state will be a man perfectly positioned to receive from God Almighty: "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first" (Matt 19:30). Let's not fool ourselves into thinking we can accomplish God's work all on our own, neglecting the very Author Himself.
Divine Accreditation. Finally, we see the last factor that I believe set Moses apart. In Exodus 3:11, Moses asks, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" God tells him, "Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee" (Exod 3:12). Friends, the chief thing required of Moses to do God's mighty work was a simple "I will be with thee"! Such a holy accompaniment was and is all that really matters! This is accreditation at its zenith; this is divine accreditation - the highest in the land! "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31) This should be the only "token" that we seek. All else is but dung!
How marvelous that the Lord Jesus would actually partner with weak and broken vessels in ministering His love to mankind! And how marvelous that He does not leave us in that state, but transforms us - wrinkle free (Eph 5:25-27).
And so, we begin this great northward journey, grateful to God for the immense opportunity. We know that He will be with us - and that's the only thing that matters.. His company is all we need!
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