I didn’t sign up for this!
Why am I the one he always asks to….?
I’m not qualified to do that!
How does she expect me to finish this…?
Why? Why not?
You’ve heard the whys. You’ve asked the whys. Sometimes the wisest response is “Why not?” Think of a time when someone asked you to do something unusual or something you didn’t want to do. What was your first thought? What did you do or say?
If you’ve ever hesitated or declined somebody’s request, yes! I can relate. We may associate with Moses when he asked, “why me?” after God asked him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
In Exodus 3-4, Moses is tending his father-in-law’s sheep when he saw a bush burning. The fire seemed to come from no logical source. He approached the burn scene and noticed the blaze wasn’t consuming the bush. Suddenly, he heard a voice calling his name. I wonder if Moses thought he was suffering from smoke inhalation.
God identified himself and told Moses to remove his sandals because he was walking on holy ground. Moses was afraid to look at God.
His fear exploded when God told him to go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Immediately, Moses fired back, “But God…” God didn’t ask for Moses’ cooperation. He expected subordination.
Managers want willing workers to perform duties as assigned. In this case, Moses, God’s employee, answered, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11). In essence, he asked, “Why not get the new gal to handle that? Or “Why doesn’t management deal with those big boy jobs?”
God waited. Moses attempted another fire rescue. “But God, who am I to say sent me? God answered, “I am. Who am.” I am. Who am. Whew! That answer’s sure to extinguish a flaming crowd.
Moses pleaded, “But God, what if they don’t believe me or listen to me?” Do you think God did a slow burn while Moses back drafted?
God turned up the heat. Exodus 3 and 4 offers more creative arguments which lead to sizzling miracles after Moses refuted his Promised Land mission. Moses would have made him a stellar debate team member. However, God had his own defense plan. He’s God. Case dismissed.
We each have our Moses moments. “But Mom…” “But teacher…, I meant to manager, but…”, “dearest wife/husband, I know I should, but…” But God…”
I’ve recently fire up my challenge to respond differently in several areas of my life. When someone asks me to do something I didn’t sign up for, or I’m inexperienced with that task, rather than question “why,” I say, “Sure! Why not?”
That invitation may not be my original plan, but I urge myself to consider a pivot. Instead of, “not me” or “why me?” I ask, “Why not I?” “Why not me?” My decision is based on wisdom and if the request is legal and moral. If nobody will be hurt or killed, I’ve begun to say more frequently, “I will” (or at least, “Yes, I’ll try”).
Gulp! Now my accountability is in writing. Why not?
Lord, thank you for your fire insurance. Please make me fireproof and protect me from the fumes of this world. Don’t allow me to go up in smoke.
Climbing onto his hook and ladder truck,
Christina
“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11).