yeah, but….
you gotta love Moses. i can so relate to his protests. if i may, let me paraphrase the conversation between God and Moses in Exodus 3/4.
God: go tell Pharaoh that my people are done being his slaves, and they’re leaving.
Moses: me? why me?
God: I will go with you
Moses: um, but what if they ask me your name? i don’t even know your name…
God: I AM
Moses: ok. ok. but what if they don’t believe me?
God: do this, throw your staff down. (he does so, and it becomes a snake)
Moses: aahhh!!!!
God: pick it up
Moses: WHAT??!!
God: pick it up
Moses: (he picks it up by the tail and the snake turns back into a staff) whoa!
God: do that
Moses: yeah, but…
God: stick your hand inside your coat (he does, and when he pulls it out, it’s decaying and diseased)
Moses: aaahhhh!!!
God: do it again (Moses does it again and this time when he pulls his hand back out, it’s restored and whole again)
Moses: whoa!
God: do that. oh, also, if they still don’t believe you, take a cup full of water from the Nile and pour it on the ground. it will turn to blood. that should do the trick.
Moses: yeah, maybe, but there’s something else, i’m not very good with words. i never have been, i just stammer and st-st-st-stutter all the t-t-t-time.
God: AND WHO MADE YOUR MOUTH!! WHO GIVES SIGHT TO SOME AND ALLOWS OTHERS TO BE BLIND? WHO ALLOWS SOME TO HEAR AND SOME TO SPEAK AND OTHERS TO BE MUTE OR DEAF??? IT IS I!!! now go, i will help you speak, i will tell you what to say.
Moses: uh, the truth is, i don’t want the job. send someone else. please.
the Bible says that God’s anger burned against Moses! and indeed, He allowed Moses’ brother Aaron to come along side and help. but oh my, i would not want God burning up with anger towards me! why did it take so long for Moses to trust God? God matched every protest and excuse with something magnificent and miraculous, showing clearly his ability to follow thru and fulfill his plan. yet Moses, he just couldn’t accept the fact that God had chosen him. faults and frailties and all.
i guess i like Moses so much because i’ve been there too. i’ve been in that place where trusting doesn’t come easily. where my insecurities and inabilities hover just above my head, like a big dark cloud looming, and i can’t see the big, bright, blue sky because of it. i love what 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 says:
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”
if we were so super awesome and powerful, then what need would we have of a savior? but God chose us. the regular, normal, everyday us. he is fully aware of our short-comings, and wants us to surrender to and trust him completely, wholeheartedly abandoned to his extravagant love. i desperately need him to speak for me! to sing through me! to walk with me! to comfort, shelter, protect, inspire, restore….
i, like Moses, would just be a mumbling, bumbling idiot without Jesus!
January 30th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
You have no idea how much this has encouraged me tonight! Just yesterday, my wonderful husband of 5 years, had the courage to challenge what I’m doing with my “gifts” that I’ve let lay dormant for a few years. Needless to say it was an emotional night admitting my insecurities and just plain stubbornness. I spent all night praying and woke up this morning with a bit of refreshed vision and still hesitation. I’m going through the steps of setting up my ministry again as I know God has called me to do. I’ve never been scared of it before but I have to say I am. Thank you for this post and for the reminder that God wants to use me in spite of who I am.
You have been my inspiration since I saw you in concert when I was just 12 years old. Thank you for doing what you do…and teaching people about our Savior!
Blessings,
Bree
February 1st, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Crystal, you are so right I feel the same way. I tell people when I play the guitar or piano, you hear that beautiful sound? Well that’s God working through me, and the mistakes, well that’s me. God bless you and your family, you are such a blessing to all those who hear you sing.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:16 am
I don’t know where to post a question so here goes !! LOL
A number of years ago I had a tape (VHS - remember those !!) of a service from Greg Laurie’s where you sang “I Need You” by Rick Founds at the end of the service for the altar call. I can not tell you how that song has stuck in my head for years!! Someone in our worship band came across a newer version and they want to do that song and I was wondering if there is a recorded version of you singing it anywhere?
It was absolutely the most beautiful, heart-felt, interpretation of the song I have ever heard!! You put so much emotion into your lyrics and it really connects with people’s hearts!
I looked through the songs lists and didn’t see it on any previous albums. I was hoping to play it for the ladies on the team to hear! GOD BLESS YOU for your ministry - your voice and abilities are amazing!!
PS - > If you need a song idea for the next album you can “bring it back” I won’t mind at all
February 15th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Hola Crystal me gusta mucho como cantas
Dios te bendiga