Sometimes the Task is Bigger than You

Sometimes the Task is Bigger than You - Part 1: An Overview

Have you ever been asked to do something that seemed impossible, or that you felt totally inadequate for? Or perhaps there is a challenge that you just don't see how you can complete or accomplish the goals that have been set? It could be anything; a job offer, a duty or task being assigned to you at work, a test coming up, or a physical challenge. This can sometimes leave us wondering how we are supposed to go on. We may seek out motivational and inspirational quotes and image to help us trudge along and keep moving forward, all the while still feeling like we are doomed to fail.

In Exodus 3:10, Moses was given such a task. He was asked to go to the Pharaoh and lead the Israelites, who were being used as slave labor at the time, out of Egypt. Let's look at who Moses was when asked to do this:
- He was living in exile in the wilderness having fled from Egypt.
- He had fled Egypt for killing an Egyptian out of anger
- He had been divinely raised by the Pharaoh's daughter as a prince (Exodus 2:1-10)
Moses had blown the opportunity to lead the Israelites to freedom as the prince and had now become a wanted fugitive on the run. But God was still calling him as He called to Moses from the burning bush.

Moses then proceeds to come up with a laundry list of excuses as to why he can't accomplish such a task:
- Who am I that I should go? (Exodus 3:11)
- What if they ask who sent me? (Exodus 3:13)
- But Lord, I am not a good speaker. (Exodus 4:10)
- I really don't want to go, please send someone else. (Exodus 4:13)

But God, in His glorious and infinite knowledge and wisdom answers each question with great mercy. For every question, God provided an adequate answer assuring Moses that He would handle it. But Moses (finally being honest) did not want to serve God and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. But God chose Moses anyway, even after the initial fall from prince-hood, murder, and then excuses. God knew what Moses was capable of. More so, God knew what He was capable of through Moses.

As humans, we tend to give up on people who constantly make excuses and don't put forth effort. But thankfully God doesn't operate this way. He uses our weakness as an opportunity to show His greatness. "Our God doesn't look for perfect people who can do great things, but broken people He can display His greatness through." Jesus didn't come to earth to save the holy people. He came for the sick (Luke 5:31-32) and the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3).

Moses wasn't powerful, influential, or possessing of any other leadership qualities we would typically look for today. He had made mistakes, run away from his problems, and was not a good speaker, but God still called him. No matter who you are or what you've done, God is calling you to do something for Him. You don't have to have it all figured out, become successful, powerful, or popular to be used by God. You just have to answer His call and trust in His greatness and power. How will you respond to His call?

2020 is Hindsight...Finally!

Wow, what a year! 2020 could literally be an entire decade, maybe more, of history, change, and lessons rolled up into these twelve months. While many aspects of 2020 were kind of sucky and we would like to forget them, it will certainly be a year to remember. And it will be enlightening when this year is looked back on in 10, 25, or 50 years to be discussed. I wonder if we'll seem like geniuses or idiots? Probably both to some extent! While there is so much that I could consider and analyze about this year, I'll try to break some of it down into four dimensions - Physical, Spiritual, Mental, and Social/Emotional. These are events and happenings from my world and perspective and I'm trying to be open in sharing and would love to hear from others on events you found most transforming. Physical When COVID cause gyms to close, that messed me up. Our town and state were late to be hit with severe cases and therefore later than many across the country to close up shop. I'm n...

Who Wants to be Dilos?

You're probably wondering if that's a typo or not. While doing a search for these letters did actually reveal that there is a brand and some fictional character out there with this name - my real intent was to show that order matters. You see, if we reverse the letters, you then spell the word, S-O-L-I-D. Yet far too many of us are operating with a Dilos mindset instead of getting our priorities in order and becoming Solid. We chase money like it's the most important thing in the world. And while it's certainly necessary, if money is the number one goal of any individual, or even any business, failure is surely on the horizon. To better understand the significance of the order, let's go through them backwards. Dollars. Yes, money matters. But what good is all the money in the world if you're "dumb as a box of rocks" and lack the next component, Intelligence, and don't know how to manage (or keep) your wealth? Intelligence. Let's say yo...

The New Normal

When all of this COVID, Coronavirus, and pandemic talk first started, I literally got sick of hearing the phrase, "the new normal." I heard sermons preached talking about what is normal. I even preached one that I titled, "The Next Normal." But what if these "new normal" people are actually onto something? When I was growing up, a normal summer consisted of a lot of time with Mom. She was a school teacher so we were all out for several (probably stressful) months together. She, my brother, and sister would spent countless hours at the pool and make several trips each year to stay at my aunt's house in the lower part of the state, about 30 minutes from the beach. That was normal for me. But now, 30ish years or so later, life for my children (and their precious little grandchildren) looks very different - almost like there's a new normal in town. My parents worked hard, sacrificed, and saved for years before purchasing a lake house in 2010 - ...

Growin' Up Gregory

Search This Blog