It’s election season again, and one thing bothers me about both Presidential candidates – they want the job. It’s not a new feeling for me; I’ve had the same feeling in other elections (but maybe not to this degree) and other situations where leaders have been chosen (e.g. picking a new departmental Chair).

In fact, in choosing leaders God often called non-obvious people and even reluctant ones. Here are some examples: (1) When Saul is informed by Samuel that he is to rule Israel, he responds (1 Samuel 9:21) that he is from the smallest clan in the smallest of the twelve tribes. “God changed Saul’s heart” (1 Samuel 10:9), but nevertheless when the time came (1 Samuel 10:21) he was found hiding among the supplies. (2) Gideon was awkwardly threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites when God called him to save Israel (Judges 6). He replied asking how he could save Israel when he was the least in his family, which was from the weakest clan. Despite further assurance, Gideon continued to doubt and even put God to the “fleece test”. (3) Speaking from the burning bush (Exodus 3) God tells Moses to bring his people out of Egypt. Moses responds (verse 11), “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God continues to try to convince Moses, whose final objection is that “I am slow of speech and tongue.” He adds a plea, “Please send someone else.” Finally in anger God promises that Aaron will serve as his spokesman. (Exodus 4:10-17) There are a number of other Old Testament examples. The New Testament records a very short historical time period, but even here we see that Paul did not ask for his important role.

I think that there are two lessons for us as Christians. First, we as a Christian community should think carefully about who has the skills and spiritual gifts best suited for a task, and then ask them to accept God’s call to the job. I’ve heard people say that Churches have a 20/80 rule – 20 per cent of the members do 80 per cent of the work. We need to identify others not in the 20 per cent. If called and assured that they are the right person for the task, more will join in. The second lesson is similar, but more personal. When we are asked to accept a responsibility, but are worried that we aren’t capable, we should be more accepting of the call and have faith that God will equip us to be successful.

Read Judges 6, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Jim

Today’s reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%206