Sticks

Have you ever considered that God really used a stick, a shepherd's staff officially, and not Moses, to free the Hebrew slaves from Pharaoh? Moses was just given the honor of transporting the stick.

He's given that "honor" partly because of his fear, for God's original intention is to work through Moses. It's only after Moses' reluctance becomes blatantly obvious and frustratingly repetitive that God switches to the stick. Moses is afraid of Pharaoh and his fellow Hebrews. Afraid that they might refuse to obey. Afraid that they might question his discernment of his call. Afraid that they might not follow when he tries to lead. But most of all, he is afraid of himself. Ultimately, I believe, afraid of his own perceived unworthiness for such a task. He reminds God...I don't even speak well. And that really is the crux of the whole thing.

This past weekend I was reminded of how it is in our very frailty and weakness that God's glory and power is revealed to the world. A young woman from our congregation, as she graduated from Confirmation, led us in a responsive Call to Worship. Doesn't sound like much on the surface. Just a few lines to read from the bulletin. But she too, like Moses, does not speak well, as she overcomes physical and mental developmental challenges each and every day of her life. But unlike Moses, she refused to let that get in the way of serving the God she loves.

It's been a long time since people reacted to a Call to Worship like they did last Sunday. Not usually the place in the service where tears are shed and the Spirit soars. But on Sunday it was.

Maybe if she was there at the burning bush instead of Moses, God wouldn't have had to use the stick.