Take It By the Tail 1

Exodus 4:1-5

This summer has had its fill of challenges. Vacation Bible school at two churches, a special service held for county employees from around the state, continuing education classes, and now planning for a Christian rock concert in our area. With each opportunity comes the usual questions – Is this the right thing? Will I do it well?

And whenever I am faced with a new ministry or outreach opportunity I simply have to trust that God will be at work to make it a success. But these challenges are small compared to the huge challenges faced by Moses.

What concern does Moses express? What does God have him do? What happens to the staff? What does God have Moses do with the snake?

As we return this autumn we can look at the possible ministries that may await us – perhaps new ones or familiar ones which need to be revitalized. Facing them often causes some hesitation, perhaps a tremor of fear. Can I do it? Do I have what it takes? Will it be a success?

Moses was challenged immediately when God called him to save the Hebrews from Egypt. The first step was for Moses to give up what he had. At this point in his life he had already lost his powerful position, the tremendous wealth he most certainly had while living as a child of Pharaoh, and his connection with his people. The only things left were his staff and his fear.
God commanded Moses to throw the staff to the ground where it became a snake. Consumed with fear, Moses ran from the snake until God gave another command. Moses was to pick up the snake by the tail.

This is the riskiest way to deal with a snake. Seizing it by the tail allows the snake to writhe back and bite the person holding it. In this case the snake turned back into a staff, but the message is clear.

God wanted Moses to trust Him completely, to do something risky and dangerous. Moses had to rid himself not only of the staff, but of his fears as well. If Moses was going to do anything he had to rely entirely on God and not on himself.

The same is true of us. The thought of ministries and new challenges may be frightening, but if we cast our fears and our self-reliance on the ground, we can pick up the challenge – grabbing it by the tail and trusting in God with our whole being. With God in control of what we do we can be assured that our ministry will be effective.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What ministry is waiting for you to take it up by the tail?