Finishing Well
A work-in-progress
Have you ever wrestled with fear, insecurities, or doubt when facing an assignment, nearly counting yourself out because you felt unqualified for the task ahead?
Like Moses, we can come up with 1,001 reasons why we are not the person for the job. We struggle with a similar “who am I” moment because the vision seems too grand to handle.
I’m not sure about you, but sometimes I struggle with taking the first step because I want concrete answers and clarity to make sure I’m headed in the right direction. I crave the Moses experience, meaning I want direct, blatant signs to confirm I’m called for that particular assignment in front of me. No vagueness. No gray area. No uncertainty. Just answers. So, I find myself looking for my own version of a burning bush, when I really need to trust Him and step out on faith.
How we start an assignment is not how we have to finish it.
I was reminded of this truth when I came across Deuteronomy 34 the other night. The description of Moses after his death stood out to me more than anything else.
“Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”
This passage wowed me! This was the same Moses who started his assignment afraid, insecure and doubtful, but he pushed through his fear and eventually gave God his “yes.” And because of his obedience and yes, Moses performed mighty signs and wonders and led the Israelites out of bondage.
A question came to mind after reading this passage: What if Moses never said yes? What if he was still stuck on his fears and perceived flaws. What if he told God, “get somebody else to do it” and walked away? What if he gave in to his insecurities about his faltering lips instead of trusting his Maker who promised He would help him speak and teach him what to say (Exodus 4:12)?
God saw the Moses He knew before He formed the foundation of the world, so He knew Moses was capable. And that’s how He views us. We can see ourselves through a lens of past failures, rejection, disappointment, etc. But God knows who we are at the core. He knows what He placed inside of us. He doesn’t base our assignments on the current version of ourselves or our temporary circumstances. Because the person we are today is still transforming. A work-in-progress. A story unfolding.
The Moses in front of the burning bush who asked God “who am I that I should go…” is not the same Moses in his final chapter. He was transformed as He walked with God. And at the end of his life he told Joshua, his successor, to be strong and courageous. He reminded Joshua not to be afraid “because the Lord your God goes with you, and He will never leave or forsake you.” This isn’t a hopeful affirmation. His life was a testament of this truth. Moses gave God a Yes, and he learned and experienced God’s faithfulness throughout his entire journey—from the moment he said Yes until he left the earth.
We talk about legacy and what we want to leave behind when it’s all said and done. This passage reminded me of the importance of giving God our Yes because that Yes is attached to a particular assignment, one God ordained specifically for us to do while we are here.
If God opens a door for us to walk through, we can enter knowing we are built and made for the task. He entrusted us with something great. And we have everything we need to say YES.
Prayer: God give us the courage to face every assignment. Help us to understand we have everything we need to do whatever you have appointed us to do. Whenever doubt whispers otherwise and the enemy attempts to taint our point of view, remind us who we are in You. Help us to see the person you have called us to be and not rely on our limited perception. Help us lay down all fear, anxiety, and doubts so that we can give you a Yes. In Jesus name, Amen.
The person we are today is still transforming. A work-in-progress. A story unfolding.
Weekly Prompt: Is there an assignment you feel God is calling you to do? Is there anything holding you back from saying yes? What is the first step you can take to move forward?
