Not Quite Finished

Wow. I just read another passage from the Bible that I don’t remember reading before – even though I have written out the entire Bible by hand. In Exodus 4.11-12 God was talking with Moses as he was in Midian, and calling him to go back to Egypt to bring his people back into the land they were promised by God. Moses didn’t want to go because of his voice. He complained to God that it was tongue-tied and tangled and that he wasn’t very good with words. Then God asked this to Moses: 

“Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say”

Moses continued to be negative to the Lord before God provided another voice for him. His brother, Aaron. That reminds me of my wife, Kate. God has provided her for me in crucial times when my voice doesn’t operate quite so well. There are reasons why we have been married for almost 44 years. Many reasons. But at this point in life I’m focused on what she is doing for me. Every phone call, every financial transaction, taking me in and out of the hospital for my ankle surgery, cooking every meal…and numerous other things. I’m sooo blessed. Just as Moses was when he hooked up with Aaron to get the Jewish people out of Egypt.

There is a deeper, more biblical meaning to this passage. God made my mouth and my voice. He used it for seven decades around the world. Suddenly, in the past year He has taken it away. But it’s HIS decision. He decides whether people speak or do not speak. He controls who sees or not sees, who hears or not hears. He is in control of HIS world. I’m good with that. He has taken me from voicing His glory to writing about His glory. Back in Moses’ time he wasn’t able to text things where they would come out quickly – but he was able to write the first chapters of the Bible which are everywhere now – so I’m feeling blessed to be a voice for the Master in the later past of my life.

I have a dear friend who was in Khartoum when we were there. Colin was the pastor of the International Church there. I remember when he had a problem with his vocal cords and he and his wife, Brenda, went back to the UK. There were some serious issues involved, along with some good issues, and we have maintained contact throughout the years. He wrote several books and articles for the Christians in Sudan, and the non-believers as well. He is my example of God using him for His glory even though he didn’t have a voice he could use all the time. He is my archetype, prototype, and standard, of what i will need to do in all of my remaining years that God gives me on the earth.

Do I get frustrated not having my normal voice? Yes, sometimes. But when I feel these emotions, sensations, or moods I realize that it is the Master and controller of all that happens in this life. I’m looking forward to my next life…and even the fading years of this life. Use me, Lord.