The Two Hurdles Of God’s WillSample

God, please, send Aaron, not me

I’ll bet you love God. I’ll bet you want to know His will. You want to see it lived out—but you might not want to be the one who’s living it. You’re all for sharing the faith—you’re just not comfortable sharing your faith. You’re all for making a difference, for helping people; you just don’t want to be the point person for the endeavor. So in our flesh, we create our little lists that say, “I’m willing to do this for You, God, but not that. I’m willing to go here, but not there.” We have a list of countries we’ll visit, ministries we’ll give to, projects we’ll take on and committees we’ll steer. Just don’t ask us to do anything that’s not on our list! God asked Moses to take the lead, and Moses had exhibited leadership qualities before. But he’d gotten comfortable in the middle of nowhere, tending his father-in-law’s flocks, and he wasn’t shopping for a tough assignment. What about you? Are you a spectator or a participant in the will of God?

Every Sunday morning, all across America, God’s people sing and pray and listen to sermons—maybe some even take notes. But by Monday morning, many have walked off the field of Christ-following and retreated back into the stands, leaving the heavy lifting to the Jesus “professionals” and “navy seals” of the faith. They’ve taken their seat, and they’re not getting up again until next Sunday. They’ve heard direction from God, but they believe that whatever action He’s calling for could best be done by some-one else. Typically, 20 percent of the people in a church do 80 percent of the giving and volunteering. “Let someone else go,” they reason. “I’ll stay home and send someone else.” That’s what Moses wanted. He said “Send Aaron!”

Even as we step out in faith there will be stumbles. Moses didn’t get everything right—and neither will we. But in God’s presence he experienced His strength ... and in His will he experienced His power. Moses told God he’d never been great at talking. God said “Moses, who made your mouth? Now get out there, and I will put the words in your mouth and show you what to do.”

Sometimes we can do what Moses did and dig our heels in, refusing to let God use us and supply us with the power we need. “Please send someone else,” Moses finally begged. And you know what? God did. Not in place of Moses, but together with Moses.

It would be a mistake for us to believe that if we say no to God He will abandon His will. He won’t. He’ll get it done with us or without us. But how much better to be with Him in the doing!