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Readings: Exodus 3:1-17 + Exodus 4:1-17
Sometimes, you sit down to write something for someone else, and you end up speaking to yourself. Today’s story is that for me. Maybe you need to hear this too.
Last week, Husband and I were troubleshooting our move, scheduled for next spring. It’s sure to be more complicated than our relocation to Japan.
We have a dog now, which means more logistics and moving pieces.
I suspect COVID will still be around, and traveling during a pandemic means preparing for quarantine and mitigating the risk of infection.
There’s a lot of possible options on how things could play out. There are many variables at play and too many options to say for sure how things will go.
I consciously remind myself not to dwell on these things.
You see, I have a propensity toward planning. (While I say planning, others might say worrying.)
I like to have a plan, and it helps me keep anxiety at bay if I know what to expect. I don’t much like surprises, and the waiting leading up to an event is its own special kind of torture.
For those of you that like personality typing, I’m fairly sure I’m an Enneagram 6. Safety, security, logistics, and planning are my keywords. I’m great at seeing holes in things, risky areas where accidents could happen.
But this sort of behavior doesn’t help me trust in God.
One of the Old Testament characters I’ve recently come to appreciate is Moses. Moses might have been an Enneagram 6, too.
When approached by God, his first response is to point out all the flaws in the plan.
“Um, do you know who I am? I’m nobody. Why would you pick me to go?” (3:11)
“Suppose I go. Who should I say sent me?” (3:13)
“Well, I think you and I both know they’re not going to believe me. Why would the Lord appear to me? What do I tell them then?” (4:1)
“Ok, but you know I can’t speak so well. I stutter, and it takes forever for me to make the words in my brain match my mouth. I need time to think. I’m sure there’s someone better with words you’d rather choose.” (4:10)
“You have some sound arguments. But I still think you should send someone else.” (4:13)
Moses wants to know how things will play out and his exact part in the plan. He thrives off answers and, like me, doesn’t like too many unknowns hanging in the air.
I empathize with Moses. His conversation with God in Exodus chapters 3 and 4 looks a lot like conversations I have with Husband about moving.
I have a question or retort for everything. I’m sure that only I have considered this possibility and its subsequent actions/needs. (Not a great look, but I’m trying to get better. God bless Husband – I know it takes a particular person to love me through that).
God gives Moses answers to many of his questions, but this isn’t always the case. We must trust that God doesn’t delay in giving us answers just because.
Maybe the external factors aren’t all in place yet. Or, more likely, perhaps I’m not yet ready to take the steps or actions God’s calling me to. There’s a purpose behind the waiting.
Often, we don’t know the whole story. We wait while God gets us ready to act or while other factors fall into place.
Waiting often comes with questions. Waiting leaves us wanting more instructions, more signs, tangible evidence that God hasn’t forgotten us.
But there’s a difference between waiting with purpose and waiting with worry. Times of uncertainty doesn’t always lead to sureness. The answers to our questions don’t always spur us into action. Even Moses asks God to send someone else (4:13).
But God wants us to trust in him as our security. He has our best interests at heart. We can trust that he won’t lead us down the wrong path but will take us on a journey that will stretch and grow us.
He has our best interests at heart.
God has placed a call on each one of our lives, whether we know what it is already or not. While we wait, God remembers (2:23-24). Waiting doesn’t mean God has forgotten us.
Journal Prompt: Do you worry while you wait? How is God answering your questions or moving you forward, even in the tiniest way?
