God has called Moses to go and tell the Israelites that God is about to save them from their slavery. He has also called Moses to address Pharaoh and tell him to let the Israelites go. Naturally, Moses is terrified of this task. It is the ultimate case of stage fright. Most of us have suffered from the same reaction to the same kind of call. God calls us likewise to deliver a message of salvation to people, but we often feel daunted and even terrified by this task. I think our main problem when we feel this way is that we misunderstand what we are being called to do. When God called Moses to address the Israelites and Pharaoh, he wasn’t expecting Moses to change anyone in the process or to even have the slightest effect on them. When Moses expresses his fears, God is quick to point out that he is the one who will do the transforming. Likewise, when God calls us to be his messengers, he does not want us to try and change people. People tend to slip into one of these extremes: they either try to preach at people in a pushy or argumentative way in an attempt to convert them or they simply seize up in fear and say nothing. Only God can ‘convert’ people, so don’t try to do this part. Don’t try to win people over with skilful debate and compelling speech. What you must do is just honestly speak the truth that is in your heart and speak it from the heart. Let your love for God and your love for people guide what you say. God will do the rest.
Think about where you need to be more open about your faith.
Read Exodus 4:10-17
