Sylvia Harrison, District Co-Lay Leader, contributor
Years ago, I read the biography of Harriet Tubman. Tubman was an American abolitionist, nicknamed “Moses”. Born into slavery, at 29 years old she escaped. Now, Harriet could have been happy with escaping, living a peaceful life up north, but instead she decided to lead 13 dangerous missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends.
Harriet was a brave woman. She also had to make hard decisions like having to drug babies to keep them quiet so their pursuers would not hear them. If I had been the mother of one of those babies, I do not think I would have been overly eager to have my child drugged. Were her decisions loving? Yes.
Harriet, “Moses”, knew the cost of helping people live free – and she was willing to pay it.
Let’s think of the bible’s Moses. Moses could have been very comfortable in the land of Midian living with his wife and son, taking care of his father-in-law’s flock, but he made a choice to answer God’s call and lead His people to the promised land. Was he always loved and admired? No. Throughout the time he led God’s people, we see the children of Israel rebelling and grumbling against Moses. Numbers Chapter 12 tells us his very own brother and sister-in-law criticized him. Numbers 16 reports 250 leaders rose up against him, then the entire community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. But he continued the mission to lead the children of Israel to live free in the promised land.
Each of us has a choice each day. Are we going to serve God and His people? Will we answer His call? Will we strive to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? Sometimes we are tempted to do the safe and comfortable thing. God calls us to make tough choices and decisions for the sake of others.
Jesus tells us in John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, I have chosen you out of the world and you don’t belong to the world. This is why the world hates you. CEB
I don’t know about you, but I would rather be CHOSEN BY JESUS than have the world love me.
How are you answering God’s call? How do you get out of your comfort zone and help God’s people become free?
John 15:16
You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit, and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. CEB
