Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. Exodus 4:2
So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to the land of Egypt. In his hand he carried the staff of God. Exodus 4:20
Moses just didn’t want to obey God. He felt insignificant and he was afraid. Apparently he had never taken Presentation Speaking 101 and his words came out jumbled. He was a shepherd, he had talked to sheep and they didn’t care if he stuttered or stumbled. He just didn’t want to do it.
I really think Moses argued more with God than I would have. Yet, as I think on it, I guess I argue as much as Moses. God is constantly reminding me of this scripture in Exodus of their conversation when I’m reluctant to obey. I often think that I’m more aware of my situation than He is. After all, wouldn’t I know myself better than God?
We all know the answer to that one. God created me, He created you. He knows us inside out, upside down and backwards. He also knows what purpose He created us fulfill. We’re the ones with the trust issues.
However, in today’s scriptures there is one important message that I almost skipped over. At the beginning of the conversation, God asked what was in Moses’ hand and he replied, a shepherd’s staff. A few verses later, in his hand he carried the staff of God.
The staff had a different title because God had touched it.
The same statement should be applied to us. We have a different name because we have been touched by God. We may be office workers, moms raising their children, grandparents loving their grandchildren, widows or widowers adjusting to a new life, but we all have the same identification: children of the Living God.
Do we live as we have been touched by God? I know I still argue with Him from time to time. Yet my trust in Him is getting stronger and the arguments are fewer. When I get scared or unsure of myself, I try to remember that I used to be just another staff without a purpose. I have been touched by God and now I am God’s staff, I live with the purpose to proclaim His love!
So as we move one day closer to the cross, I urge you to realize that you have been touched by God, you have His fingerprints all over you! I want to encourage you to think about how He has shaped your life. Maybe write in your journal experiences from your past that you now realize was Him developing you for a ministry you are now doing or maybe yet to come.
Most of all, see if you can find His fingerprint of love on your heart!
Father, how can I thank You for touching me with Your love? I used to live one day to the next, just trying to get by and do what I needed. Then You came into my life and changed my heart, my direction and my purpose is now to live for You!
Forgive me when I argue with You, remind me about Moses and how You were with him. When You give me directions, remind me also that You will never leave me or forsake me, I am Your child!
Amen
With The Savior 