“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” So He [God] said, “I will certainly be with you…” Exodus 3:11-12

How many of us have been in that place where Moses is? Not in the desert in front of a burning bush, but being called on to do something small or great and feeling inadequate? I’ve never been asked to do something on the scale of confronting Pharaoh, or leading a whole people to a new land, but sometimes even the small things have me quaking and doubting myself. (Perhaps that means doubting God.)

For instance: talking to someone I don’t know about what Jesus has done for me, speaking in front of a group, teaching women’s Bible study, leading a worship team. Those are all things I’ve done where I wondered if God understood who He’s asking to step up and do the work. Does He realize how unqualified I am to do any of those tasks? Yes, He does. But, He’s got this.

What does God say to Moses? “No worries, Moses, you have what it takes,” or “You’ve got this Moses. You can do it,” or “If you can herd sheep, you can herd my people.” Nope. God isn’t the personal cheering section for Moses to encourage him to do the job he’s been asked to do. Instead, God says, “…I will certainly be with you…”

Say what? God, don’t You want to give Moses at least a tad of encouragement? Don’t You want to say how qualified he is? That he’s the perfect one for the job? Because that is what we do to one another. We encourage and puff up one another to build teamwork. But, what are we really building?

Perhaps, instead of pointing one another to a dependence on God and what He can do, we are giving a false sense of security in self. Instead of saying, “Trust God, He’s got this,” we say something like, “You can do this. I believe in you.” 

For me, with my low self-esteem, I find myself asking that question, “Who am I…” But, what am I really asking? I am asking that someone affirms MY abilities, when I should be checking to make sure God is asking me to do that task and then trusting He will work through me to get the job done. 

The more I think about this, the more I realize that I am called, not qualified. When I became a worship leader, I wasn’t chosen for my stellar music abilities, because I don’t have those. I was where God needed me to be and answered His call in a shaking voice. He was the one who blessed that ministry—not by my talents, but by Him walking alongside me.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about the thorn in his flesh that God didn’t take away. God says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Isn’t that also true for Moses when he faced a confrontation with Pharaoh? Isn’t it true when Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness? Isn’t it true for each of us when we are faced with a task or calling that makes our insides quiver and our knees wobble?

Who am I? 

I am called of God. 

Let me get out of the way and see what He chooses to do through me.