March 11, 2017
Lenten Devotions – Following Begins With the First Step

“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.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.” But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “What of your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him. Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.” Exodus 4:10-17

Stewardship of time and resources includes deciding what G-d is asking you to do, where G-d is asking you to go, and who G-d is asking you to be with. Often you feel you need more details before you take the first step – but that can become a barrier to actually following. Instead of seeking more details, what we need to do is “have the faith” to follow. No matter where, what, who or how, one must take the first step to follow. Moses learned that – he was in no mood to follow where G-d was calling him. He felt inadequate, he felt unworthy, he felt unprepared, and he felt ill-equipped. But G-d did not take the excuses from Moses – he pursued Moses through all of his arguments. In fact, if he would have been allowed, I believe Moses’ first step would have been in retreat. But he finally decided that G-d was not giving up – and so he stepped forward to confront Pharaoh and to lead the people out of Egypt.

During the season of Lent, we need to discern where G-d is calling us into action. And when we feel the call, we need to take the first step. Being a follower is not simply reading the bible (though that is always necessary), or attending church services (which also is necessary) – being a follower requires our whole being: head, heart, hands and feet. The first man to walk on the moon could not have achieved this feat if he had not used his feet – to take that first step onto foreign soil. Every ministry that we embark upon in the church, and in our personal lives, requires someone taking the first step onto foreign soil – into unknown paths, perils and pursuits. This Lent, take the first step to do something……..

This week, as part of your Lenten devotions, I want you to collect one bar of soap each day, and on Sunday March 12 bring in your six bars of soap to donate to Trinity’s Table.

Pastor Dave