We may never feel adequately prepared to do the job God has for us
By Dean Collins
When do you have enough education? Is a high school diploma enough? An associate’s degree or certificate in a trade or skill? Is it a bachelor’s degree that says you’re ready? A master’s degree, a PhD? And how long should this learning take you to prepare you for your role wherever you are called to serve?
More and more employers are reducing their requirements for when they believe someone is ready to work in their company. Many different industries suggest that a high school diploma or GED is all it takes to have a meaningful career. Whatever else you need to learn in order to navigate the complexities of life is assumed to be learned along the way. I hope we all keep learning along the way.
Preparing for leadership
Moses is an interesting case study on what it takes to prepare for roles of leadership. In chapters 2 and 3 of Exodus, we see 80 years of lessons in leadership only to discover that Moses is still hesitant to step into his role in God’s plan of deliverance. In these two chapters, Moses moves from refugee to a person of privilege to become a fugitive running from Pharaoh. He was rescued from the Nile river by Pharaoh’s daughter. He grew up in a royal household where we would assume he received a good education and never had to pay out-of-state tuition!
What did Moses know about his Hebrew origin? We can imagine that when the sister of Moses cleverly arranged for Moses’ mother to be his nurse that she tried to gently teach him as much history as she could in those few years when she had access to her child. We certainly learn in chapter 2 that he feels his connection to the Hebrews and is bothered by their treatment at the hands of their Egyptian taskmaster.
Venting his anger
Neither his education nor his background could hold back his anger when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Moses himself turned violent in response to this injustice. And by the next day, the baby who had been rescued 40 years earlier was on the run to escape the anger of Pharaoh.
In chapter 3 we rush through the second 40 years of leadership education for Moses. This time some things are similar and some things are different in the behavior of Moses. When Moses arrived in Midian he saw local shepherds denying water access to the daughters of Reuel as they tried to water their sheep. Moses, the rescuer, stood between the shepherds and the women and managed to get them access to the well.
One gets the feeling that Moses might have been somewhat threatening in the process for the situation to turn so quickly in favor of the daughters of Reuel. It would seem that the first impulse of Moses was the force of words and possibly more. His escape from Egypt had not changed his approach to solving conflict. The rescue of Reuel’s daughters brought Moses a wife, a family, and another place to sojourn.
Remembering his inadequacy
Another 40 years has passed when God speaks to Moses from the burning bush. Here God delivers the message that Moses has been chosen to rescue God’s chosen from the land of Egypt. But after Moses removed his shoes and stood in the holy presence of God, he quickly began to feel uncertain of his abilities to be used by God.
I bet you can relate to the tension that comes when God prompts you to take on a new responsibility. There is the question of enough time, enough talent, and enough resources. I have many times told God I am not smart enough, strong enough or have enough knowledge to lead. It is in these moments that we realize we are exactly where God wants us. He never calls us to serve and then abandons us. When he calls us, he promises to go with us and provide a path for us to follow. It is always God who brings the results.
When he calls us, he promises to go with us and provide a path for us to follow.
Without explaining all the details, I can confirm that God called me at 16, 18, 21, 30, 36, 40, and 48 to places and jobs I was sure I was not prepared to do. Now in my mid-60s, I am still not sure I know enough to lead, yet time after time I wrestle with my inadequacy before God only to feel his gentle, yet firm hand on me. In these moments my faith grows as I surrender to his call in my life. The story of Moses is the story of how God can use us even with all of our doubts, our past anger, and our hesitancy.
Answering God’s call
If you can read this devotion then don’t be surprised if God calls you at 18, 28, or even 88. As long as we have breath, God can use us to accomplish his purposes. So how much preparation do you need? How much education is necessary? Well, that is up to God to determine. I am sure if he calls you then he will use whatever you have to offer and he will add to it to fill in the gaps we will always feel when he gives us a new assignment or extends our time in an existing one.
Education is important. It opens our minds to new ideas and opens doors to new relationships and opportunities. But don’t confuse formal education with God’s plans. With and without formal education, God can and will use anyone who comes to him. As we read his Word and spend time in prayer, we will discover resources we never knew we had and that are far more significant than any we can buy.
Father, today we feel your presence with us. We know you have called us to service in your kingdom. Yet we confess we often feel and think ourselves inadequate for the places you call us to serve. Give us confidence in your call. As we take steps of obedience, confirm in our minds that you do not call where you do not go with us. Teach us through your Word, through the wisdom of others, and by your Holy Spirit that we might confidently move today toward the places of service where you lead us. We trust you to provide every need we have so that you will be glorified in all we do. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Exodus 2:1-24 ESV
Photo by Albert Vincent Wu on Unsplash
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
