This is the reply given by many youths when called by God to serve Him: 'But Lord, You know...' What comes next usually sounds like this; 'I’m still so young', 'My English is not good', 'I’ve done so many bad things', 'I will lose my friends', 'My family would turn against me,' etc.
A man by the name of Moses also found
himself in a similar situation when he was called upon by God. Moses had more
than one or two reasons for him to say to God; 'You know...' To speak of a few:
Moses stuttered in his speech, he was a foreigner, he was adopted, he was poor,
he worked for his father-in-law and he was also a murderer. Moses could have
used any of these circumstances as an excuse of being unfit to be used by God.
Although the circumstances may not
exactly be the same, many youths may be able to match their current situation
close to the one of Moses. However, despite our complexes, the question we
should be asking ourselves is, If God used a man like Moses, then why can’t He
use me?”.
"For you see your
calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of this world
to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of this world to
put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and
the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to
bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His
presence." (Corinthians 1:26-29)
Understand from this passage that God is
not looking for perfect people. In fact we see that He uses those who are
considered useless according to this world. The poor, weak, basic, small! He
raises up such people and through their testimony, His name is glorified.
Jacob, Moses, David, Joseph, Gideon, Hannah. You maybe despised, neglected,
unskilled, uneducated or abused; but God is still calling you. The only missing
piece is your decision. Even though God may be calling us, it is up to you to
answer Him. You must want Him.
The key is sacrifice. Usually when God
speaks to us, most people see it as the pastor’s words and therefore ignore
God’s instructions. Just like Moses’ sacrifice was to return to Egypt, the land
in which he was wanted for murder; your sacrifice will not be easy. You may
have to end certain friendships, to let go of grudges, deprive your enjoyment,
confessing to something you did... Whatever it might be, just as Moses went
down into Egypt, we will have to do what God asks of us.
The situation that led up to Moses’
encounter with God came about because he refused to be called the son of
pharaoh’s daughter, as well as to refuse the luxuries that come with that
title.
"But by faith Moses,
when become of age, refused to be called the son of pharaoh’s daughter,
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the
passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than
the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." (Hebrews 11:24-26)
Like Moses refused to be called the son
of Pharaoh’s, how many of you are ready to say no to the things that are not of
God. Are you ready to reject your will, pay the price and turn your back to
sinful pleasures? Would you put more value in what Jesus has in store for you
or what the world has to offer?
Everyone in this world will one day pay
a price, either for good or for bad.
Luke Castro
YPG National Coordinator
