Talking. Excessive talking. I remember being between 9 to 12 years old and being grounded for several years in a row on Halloween because report cards came out right before October 31st (blame it on the report cards). Apparently, I always received a big ol’ X in “Talking”. Was that like, a subject? Talking?? I’m confused. I think I need to look further into that. Never an S for Satisfactory in talking, but an X – like, apparently I talked way too much and that was unsatisfactory? Does anybody who really knows me see how this is even remotely possible? I’m not bitter about the whole dressing up for Halloween and just standing at the door to hand out candy, thing. Nope, not a bit….
So, what’s up with the picture of the Jesus and Moses action figures? These guys were on a shelf in my friend’s office years back. It just seemed strange to get them down and pose them or play with them (not like I was going to, but just a thought). Oh, on the other hand, you could say that these are exactly the type of “action” figures children should be playing with now. Get them down off the shelf. Daily.
So, Moses. Now, this is a man with a story. Like, five books of the Bible – story. It appears to me that Moses would not have been the kind of person to be grounded on Halloween for getting an X in “talking” (I’m still not bitter). Moses did not speak well. He was actually scared to take on that position, the whole leading the Israelites out of slavery thing. He didn’t feel equipped for the task, or feel like he spoke eloquently enough to do so. In moves God…. (I am paraphrasing here)… Moses, you have everything you could possibly need for the job of leading My people – you have Me. I don’t ask My people to do more than they can do, or give My people tasks without providing the necessary tools. Now. Get. Out. There. And. Speak. Here, if it will make you feel better, I will use your brother Aaron too, you can tell him what to speak and it will be as if I were talking. Now, Moses go, take this staff and I, God, will give you words to speak. You will lead My people out of slavery. I will use you just how you are….
You know what happened? Moses spoke. Aaron spoke. Moses led. Most importantly, Moses listened. It may have taken forty years (and A LOT of excessive talking), but he was continually equipped. God used him just how he was, and He always provided the tools.
You know what’s funny? All that talking I did when I was younger equipped me for sales jobs, management opportunities and other experiences that I entered into early on in life – jobs that required excessive talking. God used my big ol’ X and made me successful in those opportunities he blessed me with and continues to bless me with today. And even now, I am still eager to use all my words each day (lucky you).
10Moses 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.” 11The 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? 12Now go; I will help you speak and teach you what to say.” – Exodus 4:10-12 NIV
Can't it all be about dogs? 