Most of us know what it’s like to live a life that feels rather ordinary. Some parts are great, some parts are messy, and some parts you aren’t proud of. But it’s your life, and it’s what has made you who you are today.
There’s a story in the Bible about someone who feels too ordinary to make a difference. His name is Moses. As I read his story, I resonate with him so deeply. When God calls him to do something big, he doesn’t feel ready for it.
What Could God Do With Me?
Can you relate to feeling unqualified? I can. I’m an ordinary person. I’m imperfect, I don’t have all the answers, and I’m no more equipped than anyone else to go out and lead an important project or fulfill a big calling.
So when I sense God asking me to do something, it makes me wonder: Didn’t God see my backstory? Doesn’t He see how plain and ordinary my life is? Doesn’t He see my mistakes? He read my résumé, right? Can’t He send someone else?
Those are the kinds of questions that show up in Moses’ story, too. And the way God responds can help us find confidence in what He’s calling us to.
Moses’ Story
At the beginning of the book of Exodus, the Israelites are in Egypt because of a famine that happened generations earlier. Eventually, a new pharaoh comes to power and the Israelites transition from favored immigrants to enslaved outsiders.
Concerned by how rapidly the Israelite population is growing, this pharaoh orders all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. Moses is born and his life is spared, and he’s—ironically—raised in Pharaoh’s own home. He grows up in the palace but is forced to flee after killing an Egyptian in defense of an Israelite. He flees to Midian, gets married, and becomes a shepherd.
I love that Scripture includes this backstory for Moses because it shows how God uses perfectly ordinary people. People with messy, complicated, and imperfect backgrounds.
An Ordinary Day Turns Into Something More
One day, Moses is in Midian, minding his own business as he tends to his father-in-law’s flock, when he sees something odd:
… the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:2-4 NIV
Moses says, “Here I am.” But when God reveals that He’s the one talking, Moses is afraid and hides his face.
A totally ordinary, everyday moment for Moses is interrupted by an encounter with something extraordinary.
Side note: Isn’t it hilarious that Moses is chill when a bush is burning and speaking to him, but he’s terrified when he finds out it’s God?
God goes on to tell Moses that He’s going to rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians and bring them to the promised land. And He’s going to send Moses to Pharaoh to bring His people out of Egypt.
Moses Pushes Back (Like We Do)
Moses responds with, “Who am I to do that?”
Then he goes on to say things like:
- “What if they ask who sent me? What do I say?”
- “What if they don’t believe me?”
- “But I don’t speak well.”
- “Please send someone else.”
God loves to work through ordinary, unqualified people.
But in the end, God wasn’t taking Moses’ objections as the final answer. Not because He’s harsh, but because God loves to work through ordinary, unqualified people.
Ultimately, God’s plan will prevail, whether or not we waste time arguing with Him about it. We can either trust Him and join in, or hide in fear and insecurity and let Him choose someone else to work through.
The truth is, no one is fully equipped, ready, or perfect for the job.
What This Story Is Actually About
I tend to get stuck on Moses’ humanity. I see his hesitation, his insecurity, all his questions, and I relate to that. But when I stay there, I miss what this story is really about. It’s not just showing that God chooses imperfect or ordinary people. It’s about how God responds to Moses’ questions and doubts.
- “Who am I?” God responds, “I will be with you.”
- “Who are You?” God replies, “I am who I am. Here’s My plan.”
- “What if they don’t believe me?” God commands, “Show them My power.”
- “I don’t speak well.” God asks, “Who gave you the ability to speak in the first place?”
- “Please send someone else.” God promises, “I will send Aaron to help you, but I will be the one helping you both and calling the shots.”
The point of this conversation between God and Moses is not about Moses. It’s never meant to be about us either. It’s about knowing God—who He is and what He can do. And it’s about trusting that He is powerful, almighty and sovereign enough to work through whatever (and whomever) He chooses.
So how much time do we waste arguing with God that our seemingly messy, insignificant, and ordinary lives aren’t worthy of the things He calls us to?
God doesn’t care about our confidence in ourselves; He cares about our confidence in Him.
The truth is that God doesn’t care about our résumé. God doesn’t care about our confidence in ourselves; He cares about our confidence in Him. You may be ordinary, but your God is extraordinary. And with Him, you can do whatever He calls you to.
Try This: What’s something you’ve been arguing with God about? What have you been making about you, when you really need to push yourself aside and make it about God? Name it, then take one small step forward, trusting Him with the outcome.