Of Course You're Not Perfect, But You Have Been Chosen.

Moses.

Does that name ring a bell? He's that guy from Exodus (in the Old Testament of the Bible) that was called to lead the Hebrews to their freedom from their bondage in Egypt. His name has been immortalized not only on the pages of scripture, but also in films like The Ten Commandments, The Prince of Egypt and Exodus: Gods and Kings.

A person who is unfamiliar with the story, might think that a man chosen to stand up to a great pharaoh and lead hundreds of thousands (even millions) of slaves to freedom across desert lands to paradise would have been a man of great strength, full of fight and eagerness to lead. But in reality, scripture tells us quite the opposite. When God first appeared to him, Moses was extremely doubtful and hesitant, and repeatedly questioned whether or not he was the right one for the task.

But here is the things about perfect: We normal, fully human people will never achieve perfection in this life time. We will never be the absolute perfect ones for any task. But we don't have to be perfect, we just need to be chosen and willing to move. We need to be chosen and then trust that God will provide us with the tools and strength and guidance needed to accomplish the task at hand.

Let's look at some examples of Moses' doubt and weakness along side God's knowing, purpose and reassurances.

1. Moses' Hesitation: He was a Hebrew, born of slaves. His birth gave him a sense of inadequacy when it came to standing up to Pharaoh and demanding the freedom of his people. In Exodus 3:11, Moses says to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites (the Hebrews) out of Egypt?"

God's Promise and Reassurance: (Exodus 3:12) "I will be with you. . . " In Exodus 3:14-21, God continues to reassure Moses that he isn't going back to Egypt alone and powerless, but that the God, the mighty I Am, would be moving with him and through him, giving him the words to speak in order to overcome Pharaoh and bring the Hebrews to freedom.

2. Moses' Doubt: In Exodus 4:1, Moses says, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, "'The Lord did not appear to you?'."

God's Signs: God had already promised guidance and strength to Moses, but in Exodus 4:2-8 He continues to reassure the man by giving three signs to demonstrate the power and presence of Himself to all who might have doubt. The Lord allows Moses' staff to be turned into a snake, He causes his hand to become leprous and then be healed, and promises Moses that the water of the Nile will be turned to blood as it is poured out onto the ground.

But still Moses hesitates further.

3. Moses' Weakness: (Exodus: 4:10, 13) He confesses his lack of eloquence, calling himself slow of speech and tongue. How is he to sway an Egyptian ruler or even the Hebrew elders when he is a poor public speaker? Moses' doubt in himself even amidst God's promises leaves him requesting that someone else be sent in his place.

God's Reassurance and Help: (Exodus 4:11-12, 14-17) Again, the Creator of Mankind promises Moses that He will be with him, guiding him, teaching him, giving him the words to say. And when that is still not enough to get the man moving, God brings Aaron, Moses' brother, into the picture.

14 He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he

sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both

of you speak and teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you,

and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him." And

God, again, confirms that Moses will be a presence and hand in leading the

Hebrews out of bondage, saying "17 But take this staff in your hand so you can

perform miraculous signs with it.

Moses was not what many, including himself, would deem the perfect person to lead a great multitude of people to freedom. But from the time of his birth he was chosen for a purpose greater than he could have imagined. He was saved from the death sentence proclaimed by Pharaoh against every baby Hebrew boy. (Exodus 1:15-16, 22; 2:1-4) He was adopted by the Pharaoh's daughter and raised in the household of the very person who wanted him dead. He murdered an Egyptian to save a Hebrew, and, again, his own life was spared from the wrath of king of Egypt. He escaped to Midian and was accepted into the family of Jethro, a priest. He became a humble shepherd who was called into the presence of the living God to serve a purpose that would set off a chain of events that would impact mankind for all time.

Moses wasn't perfect.

Neither am I. Neither are you.

But that has never stopped God, the Creator of Everything.

It is the perfect power and glory of God moving though those who accept His calling in their lives that accomplishes great things.

Our bodies may become weak. He will give us strength. Our minds and hearts may become weary and confused. He will give us peace and clarity. Our mouths may falter. He will give us the words to speak and by which to be understood.

QUESTION: What self-doubt is holding you back from pursuing that which God has set before you? Is He who created you not stronger than your weakness?

I struggle on a daily basis. I doubt that I will have the ability to accomplish a task well. I hesitate in speaking because I'm afraid my words will fall short, leave people confused, or hurt someone unintentionally. So many excuses not to act, or to act in the wrong way.

But God told Moses, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:11,12) And it can be applied to our own lives and own insecurities and our own situations.

Like Moses, we do not have to be perfect. We need only to be willing to go where we have been called, do that for which we have been designed, and trust that God (the One who has chosen us) will be with us every step of the way.