Mark Sorensen Last week, I went before the Board of Ordained Ministry to share my calling. I always insert into my “greater story” how very much I relate to Moses. I can honestly say, to this very day, I don’t feel qualified to do what I do. Of course, as I type that, I also look over at my Bible and am reminded that not a single person (short of Jesus) was qualified to do what they did for God. The good news, God qualifies the unqualified. So? I lean in on amazing grace as I continue on this roller coaster calling in which I serve and walk beside so many of you on.
Now. Can I also share something else with you? It’s taken a while to come to this place in my life but I am learning to settle into a very simple four-word statement. Ready?
“I can’t do everything.”
I just can’t. And what’s even greater? It’s ok.
I love the perspective we get looking in on a moment between Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro. When they meet, Moses gushes. He shares the joys of ministry and what he had seen God do. He told him about “everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them.” (Ex. 18:8) Of course, Jethro was overjoyed.
All’s well, that is, until the next morning. Jethro arises to witness Moses sitting before the people from morning to evening serving as judge. Meaning he was listening to their hurts. Moses was tending to their needs. He was sharing their concerns and providing wise council. All good, right? Jethro doesn’t think so.
Let’s be honest. In-laws can sometimes get a bad wrap. Jethro, in my humble opinion, gets major “in-law” points, here. Read on.
Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.” (Ex. 18:17-18)
Jethro goes on to encourage Moses to, yes, be the people’s representative before God. By all means, teach them His decrees and instructions and show them the way they are to live and how to behave. But it can’t ALL come from just you. Appoint people to assist you. Raise up others in the flock who can “make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.” (Ex. 18:22) And if you do this? Jethro responds, “You will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” (Ex. 18:23)
So Moses does.
And then? Moses climbs the mountain at Sinai and meets with God.
I have to confess. The larger my platform becomes in ministry and the wider my net gets spread, the more I actually find that I truly do want to do it all. I have a pastor’s heart. I can’t deny it, nor can I take that hat off of my head. Yet, I also know that I can’t do it all. So, there are times that I must unapologetically say “no” and choose the mountain climb, because if I don’t cling to those meetings with God in my life? I’ll have nothing to give.
Honestly? I don’t think it’s just a “pastor thing” either. We put a lot of expectations on ourselves to do the best, be the best, reach for the best. Listen, “best” is never a bad thing. But running like crazy on this earth MINUS the moments of being still and spending time with our Father robs us of the “best” God has planned for us all. Moses needed to climb the mountain.
And, by the way, about that mountain climb. I have to wonder. How long was God waiting for Moses on that mountain? Day in and day out, Moses is obediently loving and serving the sheep when God was patiently waiting for him to learn that he can’t do it all. Had Jethro not spoken that truth to Moses in Exodus 18, Exodus 19 would have never happened.
It takes a village. Truly. And when Moses finally realizes it? There’s the encounter at Sinai. That, my friends, is a secret to a long life in ministry.
So wherever this word meets you today, take a breath. Even greater? Take a walk up Sinai. Put down what’s weighing on your shoulders and the expectations that may be pressing you down.
God’s waiting.
