In the midst of Paul's message one Sunday, God's Word hit me like a 2X4 to the forehead...have you ever had one of those moments? I am sitting there listening to the excuses Moses brought before the Lord when he was told to go and tell Pharoh to release the children of Israel...God just wanted him to be obediant and rest in the fact that he would be going in the power of the Lord, not his own. No matter what conflict would arise, God assured Moses {time and time again} that He would be with him and that He would take care of the details. Moses had 4 different excuses! But here's the kicker...how many do we lay down before the Lord before we eventually do what He is calling us to do!?!?!
In the latter of the excuses, Moses tells God that he is not eloquent and is slow of speech and has a slow tongue {he stutters}...God answers him with this: "Who hath made a man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore GO, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." {Ex 4:11-12}
I have to admit, when God said we were going to the Philippines, I had a few excuses of my own...God dealt with the heart of those problems, but even in the obedience there has been some whining of sorts. I find myself right now in the midst of learning a new language...talk about a reason to whine if I ever saw one! This is not an easy task; I admire greatly those who have learned much more difficult languages than I and especially those who know more than 1 other language! I have been laughed at, frustrated to no end over the pronunciation of a simple 3 letter word, and intimidated by those around me who speak with such ease. I know that it will come, but somedays there is serious doubt. I find myself wrapped up in the same bit of whining as Moses...only my words say, "Oh Lord, are you sure you want me to do this...but this is too hard for me. How will I ever relay properly your love for these people?"
Here's the revelation {a.k.a. the 2X4}...In church that day it's like God spoke over me, just as He did to Moses, "Tina, I made your mouth, just go and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you should say"...then it resounded again "just GO"..."I will be with you"!
We/I get so wrapped up in the self part of the equation sometimes that we fail to recognize that our abilities are soley from the Lord, if He has called us to a particular job it is because He knows He is capable! We will see the full potential if we will just be open vessels for His use...emptied of ourselves and filled up with Him. This also takes me back to one of my favorite scriptures: II Cor 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
I am encouraged to continue the task of Tagalog! I have since graduated from the elementary Abakada to the actual text book! Yeah! This week I will start learning common phrases and conversation..."Lord, be with my mouth...you promised!"
*God, I am comforted in your abilities. I am humbled still that you want to use me for your service. Thank you for being patient with my whining and for lovingly showing me that You are with me every step of the way. I ask you today to continue to be with the language study, Lord that you would bring the understanding and clarify my words....it's all in You Lord, move me out of the way and do as You please...amaze me. You always do!*
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