Never Say No!

When I was working as a chemist at Kelly Springfield Tire Company, my pastor told me one day that God wanted me to be a pastor. I thought this was the craziest thing I had ever heard. I asked God one night what He wanted me to do, and the answer was the same as from my pastor. I had all kinds of excuses for why I couldn’t be a preacher.

I told God that I had never preached and that I got nervous in front of people. Regardless of how many excuses I came up with, God’s answer was always the same. I even applied to Duke Divinity School late thinking that they had already chosen the class and I wouldn’t be accepted. Well, I “got in,” and the rest is history.

The Bible tells stories of many people who thought they were not qualified for their calling. Moses is a prime example of this. When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses said in Exodus 3:11 and 4:1, “I am slow of speech and tongue.” God replied, “Who gave human beings their mouths? … Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” (4:10-12)

Moses told God that he was unworthy and didn’t have enough knowledge of God. He told God that he lacked special powers and had a speech impediment. God told Moses that it was His power that qualifies people and not their personal strengths and weaknesses.

What is God calling you to do? All of us are here for a reason, and God guides each of us along the way. God always provides people to guide us as we discern what our place in life is, and God always gives us what we need to serve Him.

Prayer – God, I’m so glad you didn’t leave me here on this earth to do it all on my own. Thank you for your love and guidance and the people You’ve placed in my life. Amen.

Exodus 4:12 – “Now go; I will help you speak and teach you what to say.”

Author: The Rev. Tommy Herndon

Photos: Courtesy of Unsplash (Marcelo Novais & Austin Chan)