Is that You, God?

Scripture: "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."But Moses said, ''O LORD, please send someone else to do it." (Exodus 3:12-13)

We've all done it. Some of us would be ashamed to admit we do it more than others.

We argue with God.

Seeing that in print is an almost humourous notion. Kind of makes you wonder - how could and why would anyone argue with God Almighty?! But we do.

I love this story of Moses because he represents the everyman. He represents ... us!

When you read the account of Moses and the burning bush in its entirety, Moses seems to try to convince God that He has the wrong man. 'Who am I that I should go...?' (Ex 3:11) 'What if they don't believe me...?' (Ex 4:1) 'I am slow of speech and tongue.' (Ex 4:10) And finally, 'O LORD, please send someone else to do it.'

I am amused because I have found myself doing the very same thing. I've always been rather shy and withdrawn around people until I get to know them. I can't cross a room to introduce myself to strangers. I'm very uncomfortable at parties, celebrations and gatherings where I don't know anyone. I find myself 'alone in a crowd'. But 2 years ago I felt the Lord speaking to me, telling me to move into leadership at my church. At first, I inwardly laughed at the idea. I was certain it was my own crazy thoughts. So I pushed it aside.

Months passed, and I kept feeling the same impression upon my heart, 'It's time to move into leadership.' As time drew on, I stopped laughing and then I got really scared. The first thing I said in my head was, 'No way! I'm afraid of people!'

Week after week, I became very certain this was not any of my own thoughts, but the Holy Spirit speaking to me. And yet, like Moses, I found myself resisting. Would you believe I told God, flat out, 'NO!' And when He kept pursuing me, I actually argued with Him, very much like Moses.

First, I tried to reason with Him: 'God, You must have the wrong number. Do you know who I am?! If You did, surely You wouldn't be asking me to do this impossible task!' Then I tried to disqualify myself by explaining, 'Who am I to be a leader?! I don't know that much.' Then I really put my foot down: 'I'm scared!'

Yet He pursued me until I did exactly what I was supposed to do all along: Submit. 'Ok, Lord,' I told Him, 'I will move into leadership.'

Have you been argueing with God lately? Is He taking you down a path you're unfamiliar with?

Take it from me and Moses: There's no point in arguing. God wins. Psalm 139:16 says, 'All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.' Yes, He knows where He is taking you. He's known for a very long time. You just need to trust Him.

As it turns out, the Lord is helping me to grow out of my shyness little by little. Now, I co-lead a bible study with my best friend on Friday nights. When called upon by my pastor, I will pray for people. I serve communion. I joined other ministries within my church. All it took was for me to stop wrestling with God. I had to stop trying to convince Him that He had me figured out all wrong. I had run out of reasons to disqualify myself to do the tasks He was asking of me.

In the end, there was nothing left to fight about. I turned to my Father, and said, 'Yes, Lord.'

If you are wrestling with God, it's time to put your hands down and trust that He knows exactly what He's doing. This is what He has shown me.

Prayer request: For new Christians to become so familiar with the Lord's voice, they will know it instantly and say 'Yes Lord' without a fight. Also, for struggling, mature Christians who need to hear His voice once again.

Prayer: Lord, help us to hear your voice and seek Your presence every day. Help us each to fulfill Your will with each of our lives.