Issue #210, June 28, 2017
Even after God answers the first three questions, Moses is not willing to go. Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The LORD said to him, “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 will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:10-12).
This time Moses didn’t frame his reservation as a question. But the question he had was, “Will I be able? ” Moses was not sure that he would be able to have the impact he desired with the limitations he felt. Moses had already asked God, “Who am I?” and it seems that he was not fully persuaded that God’s answer was satisfactory. He still wonders, “Do I have the gifts I need? Can I speak well enough? Can I do it? Do I have what it takes to make an impact?” God’s answer gives all servant leaders direction when they question their ability. God points Moses back to who He is, not who Moses is. His answer allows servant leaders to find their confidence in God’s ability to make an impact.
Ability makes an impact when we appreciate God’s design.
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? God was saying to Moses that it was He who created Moses and called him to do the task. Some leaders may claim to have the ability to do things on their own. Moses erred in the opposite direction. His claim to be unable was actually an insult to God’s design. Servant leaders acknowledge that their ability comes from God’s design. They work to develop gifts and skills, but they understand that God is the source. Servant leaders don’t claim to be ‘self-made.’ They acknowledge with appreciation the way God designed them to accomplish His call.
Ability makes an impact when we acknowledge God’s blessing.
God wanted Moses to understand that he was blessed with ability. He essentially tells Moses, “I blessed you with the ability to speak!” Acts 7:22 says that Moses was “powerful in speech.” Moses didn’t recognize this ability and felt inferior. God wanted Moses to acknowledge that He blessed him with a gift to speak. Many leaders recognize their gifts but don’t give God credit for them. Servant leaders are not proud of their abilities, but they are able to humbly acknowledge them as gifts. They accept their ability as God’s blessing, given to make an impact for God’s glory.
Ability makes an impact when we accept God’s help.
Moses still didn’t feel adequate for the task. So God says, “I will help you speak.” God offers to be a personal leadership coach for Moses! What an encouragement this must have been. Some leaders see their gifts and try to build confidence by repeating to themselves, “I can do this.” Servant leaders accept God’s assistance. Their ability does not come from self but from Him. They accept God’s assurance that “I will do this through you.” When they accept God’s help they make an impact in their world.
Servant leaders, like all leaders, may question their ability to make an impact. But they learn from Moses to rely on God’s ability instead of their own. They humbly acknowledge that God has given them gifts to accomplish the task. And they allow God to help them with what He has gifted them to do. Their focus on God’s ability allows them to make an impact.
For further reflection and discussion:
- In what areas of leadership do I feel inadequate? Are my feelings of inadequacy an insult to God’s design and call on my life? What is His design that makes me able to do what He has called me to do?
- With what gifts and abilities has God blessed me? Am I able to thank Him for these without being proud of self? How does God want me to use these gifts for His glory?
- What difference does it make for me to know that God will help me lead? In what specific areas right now do I need His help?