Now indeed the outcry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen how the Egyptians are oppressing them.
Now, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:9-11 NABRE)
Moses utters a most human response to God's call! Anyone who's ever been called to responsibility and risk knows the recoil he must have experienced. Moses felt unqualified and unequipped to do as he was told, and so he pushes back initially, saying he's not going to be able to do this. Beyond that, he had established a relatively comfortable and happy life and was reluctant to leave it behind.
But notice God wasn't asking Moses to go. God was sending Moses. There are two things to notice about being sent by God to complete a task:
- God sends and we go
- God provides and protects
So, let us listen for God's call on our days and respond with joy. Sometimes he calls us so far out of our comfort zone, we may initially feel like Moses, but let us recognize the feelings of certainty, inevitability, and confidence that accompany such a call. These often linger in the background of our emotions, so we need to probe ourselves to see if they are there whenever we feel called to do something for the Lord.
Today, I will listen for God's call on me and will answer joyfully.
Saint Bonaventure, man of learning, eloquence, and holiness, known for kindness, approachableness, gentleness and compassion, pray for us.
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