“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.'” (Exodus 4:10)
Often times, when God calls, our default response is “I can’t,” when the more honest response would be “I won’t” or “I don’t want to.” Sometimes this dishonesty springs from fear, when we use our abilities, or lack thereof, as an excuse to not follow God and respond to our Creator’s call. But our faith calls us to trust not only the abilities God gives us, but also our Creator’s role in nurturing those gifts.
In response to Moses’ excuse-that he has never been eloquent-God reminds him that all our abilities come from our Creator. “Who givee speech to mortals?” God says to Moses. “Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”
No one is born a great orator. Those gifts evolve with practice, guidance and faith in a God who nurtures our potential for kin-dom work. Each of us is equipped with gifts to develop and share. Each of us has a role to play in transforming God’s vision into an earthly reality. There can be no dishonesty before God, because our Creator knows what we are capable of doing.
Examine: In what ways have you been dishonest about your abilities? Sit with this dishonesty. Breathe. Notice thoughts and feelings that arise.
Imagine: Imagine yourself at the burning bush, hearing God call you to use your gifts. What doubt, hesitation, fear, discomfort come to mind in this moment? Be honest with God and yourself in this moment. Let go of every dishonest excuse.
Pray: Free me from dishonesty, O God, so I can live with truth.
