Sunday, I had the privilege of visiting a local church here in Senegal where I was able to meet with the national children’s ministry director. After the service, we went to see their new tabernacle and future location of the church. While we were there, I took this picture (above). I love when the Lord speaks or shows me something through a situation, photo, or person.
As I reflected on this photo this week and thought more about it, I began to pull apart the pieces of this picture. It’s pretty, right? But there are a lot of rocks, rubble, and debris in the way, in the foreground, and the landscape past the hole is blurry. Let’s dig into that.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33
Read Exodus 3:19-4:17
The Lord clearly laid out exactly what would happen for Moses, Pharoah would not let the people go, God would perform wonders, through those wonders Pharoah would let them go, then there would be blessing and provision for the Israelites through the Egyptians (Exodus 3:19-22). God was clear, gave instructions, and gave information for the future. But still Moses doubted God and came back three different times with three different excuses. Finally, the Lord gave Moses aid through Aaron. But the Lords original plan was to just use Moses.
Moses was so focused on his physical limitations and what he could actually see as possible. But the Lord had much greater things ahead of him. In reference to the picture above, Moses was focused on the rocks in the way, the debris around him, that he couldn’t see the future, the clear picture that the Lord was painting before him and how He would use Moses to be part of this amazing story.
This afternoon I had the privilege of visiting a pastor here in Senegal who has a church plant, they are currently meeting in a temporary space while they build their permanent church building. We walked through the construction and heard his heart and plan for the church. The neighborhood he is building in is historically very hostile to Christians. Again, referencing the picture, pastor could have focused on the lack of safety, the gravity of the situation, and what he could physically do himself and when the Lord told him where to build, he could have said, “no, it’s not possible.” But today I heard him say, “this church isn’t here just for us, just for this time, but for generations to come.” Wow. This pastor is looking ahead, he is not focused on the rubble around him, the what ifs and the physical reality in the area. He is focused on eternity; he sees the story the Lord is weaving through his obedience. Praise the Lord!
Are you allowing the Lord to build through you for generations in the future?
What does that mean for you and me? How does this apply to our lives? Yes, it’s a pretty picture, a good bible story, and what a testimony of this pastor, right? But now what?
Sit for a moment and think about the things the Lord has called you to do. Is it raising your children, moving to Africa, stewarding a ministry, pastoring a church, working in a secular environment? I won’t go on, but I encourage you to make a list of your own. What is the debris and rubble in the way? What are the doubts or physical limitations that you can see like Moses did? Write those down too and surrender them to the Lord.
“Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoke to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
Exodus 4:11-12
Surrender that list of rubble to the Lord and allow Him to remind you who made you, who called you, and who will equip you.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3
The Lord has a beautiful story planned for you, friend. Whether that’s in ministry, missions, parenting, teaching, conversations, the list goes on. Don’t get distracted or discouraged by the rubble in the way. Give Him your yes, no matter how big or crazy it feels. Keep your eyes on the Lord, keep Him before you, get in the Word daily and allow Him to change and challenge your heart.