For the past few days, I’ve been reading through the book of Exodus and studying Moses. After the story of Jesus throughout the gospels, the story of Moses is probably my favorite, if not, one of my favorites in the whole Bible. Perhaps this is attributed to the movie, “The Prince of Egypt” (WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND) and how encouraging it was. However, the thing that I feel draws me to the story of Moses is that it is a prime example of how God can take someone, and flip their life upside down and use them in a way that nobody expects.

In Moses case, he was born a Hebrew but was raised Egyptian and, most likely, knew their ways. But this was not the life that God planned for Moses. Many years later, God used him to lead his people out of Egypt and free from bondage. He became one of the greatest leaders ever.

When we look at Moses, at least the way I look at him, we see a man with great character and strengths. Someone who’s life did a complete 180. However, the abilities and strengths that Moses possessed weren’t magically placed there once he ran from Egypt. They had always been there within him—just the way God created him.

As early as Chapter 2 in Exodus, we can see that Moses had a natural desire or predilection to react to conflict he saw around him. He saw an Egyptian strike a Hebrew, and his reaction was to kill the Egyptian and hide the body. He overheard two Hebrews fighting, and his reaction was to get involved in the conversation instead of leaving it alone. Pharaoh heard about what Moses did to the Egyptian, and Moses’ reaction was to run away. The Midianite girls were being harassed by some shepherds, and Moses’ reaction was to drive them away. This all happens in chapter 2 of Exodus. Very early we can see that Moses was drawn to situations to make a right. Whether the reaction was right or wrong didn’t matter. Moses chose to react.

Throughout the story of Moses, we can see the change that happened with him and the person he became. However, it’s not the type of change that we may think. Moses still had an instinctual desire to react inside of him, but it wasn’t his abilities that changed. Instead, it was the way he used the ability. While leading the people in the wilderness, there were many situations that Moses had to react to. From complaints to attacks on who he was, he had to deal with it all. And although Moses was certainly not perfect and made mistakes, most of his reactions were now based on obedience to God.

In the book of James, we’re told that, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). In Psalms, we’re also told, “God—His way is perfect . . .” (Psalm 18:30).

So we know that God is perfect (perfect people don’t make mistakes), and that every good gift comes from Him. That means that the gifts and abilities that each one of us are born with are no mistake. They were put there for a reason and God has a special plan for us and the abilities that He gave us. The more we put our faith and trust in God, the more effective, beneficial, and useful we will be. God didn’t remove Moses’ reactional abilities, he just molded them until they were in line with His purpose. The thing that brought Moses trouble early on became used for God’s glory.

Each one of us has a special gift. Whether it’s speaking, writing, athletics, drawing, poetry, etc., God has a purpose for it. And the more we get closer to Him, the more we will understand that very purpose He has for us and the abilities He gave us. We will find our abilities becoming more and more suited to His purposes.

This doesn’t mean that it will be easy or that we will experience success in every aspect of it. Although Moses definitely matured in his faith, he still made mistakes and one of them even disqualified him from entering the Promised Land. But that’s not what we know Moses for. We recognize him as a great leader who was obedient. Mistakes will not define you and define your abilities. God will still continue to guide you, just like He did Moses.

I used to have dreams of being in the NBA or NFL. For the longest, that was all I ever wanted. Only thing was that I lacked the height to be as effective as I wanted in basketball, and I lacked the desire to aggressively hit people in football. I always used to ask God to make me grow taller and more physical. Soon it became a prayer for myself to become a completely different person. However, this is not what God had in store for me.

I was a shy kid, but I always seemed to have a way with words when it was necessary for me to speak. Whether in school, church, or in a letter, I’ve always kind of known what to say. In many ways, I was better at this than at playing sports. But I chose to focus on sports and lock away this gift God gave me and decided to continue to fight to be something I wasn’t purposed to be. I was fearful.

As I grew older and matured in my faith, I began to get more opportunities to speak and even started emceeing at my church. The gift that I originally rejected and feared was finally revealed as my purpose. And the ironic thing was, that it had always been there! Although I still make mistakes and often stumble over my words, I know that I’m now doing what I am supposed to be doing and that God is always with me while I’m doing it.

In each and every one of us, God is trying to take what He created and use it for the purpose He has for us. Instead of asking God to change you or asking Him what should you change into, ask Him how you can and should use your gifts to do His will. Throughout our lives, God strips away everything we aren’t and reveals who we’ve always been purposed to be, which is His people, who know that there is no greater joy than being in union with Him.

God Bless!

Related Bible Verses To Help

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10)

According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportions of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)