A few years ago, God wouldn’t leave me alone about writing a book. I tried to ignore Him, but He stayed on my heels like my boys do when they want me to pick up donuts on Saturday morning.
New to writing at the time, I was overwhelmed by the idea of publishing a book. I gave God excuse and after excuse because I was scared to be brave.
Maybe like me, God has given you an assignment but you’ve put it off because you’re overwhelmed by the idea of the job. So, you’re sitting on the sidelines waiting for God to call someone else into the game He’s prepared for you to play.
In the first two chapters of Exodus, God prepared for the most significant theatrical performance in the history of the Hebrew people—for millions of oppressed Hebrew slaves to walk out of Egypt into freedom. God assigned Moses to lead them out, but He used women, four of them, to set the stage.
Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, convinced himself that if the Hebrew population grew too large, they would gather together with Pharaoh’s enemies and overtake his country. His plan? Kill the Hebrew boy babies and cut off their population for good. But God’s women were rising from their bench on the sidelines and stepping onto the field to fight.
Enter Shiphrah and Puah. These two Hebrew midwives refused to obey Pharaoh’s command to kill all baby boys when they were born and instead, let them live (Exodus 1:15-17).
So, Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew boy babies thrown into the Nile river. God then called Jochebed, Moses’ mother (Exodus 2:2) to bravely place him inside a homemade waterproof basket, and hide him among the reeds of the Nile (Exodus 2:3).
Finally, we meet Moses’ sister, Miriam. Miriam courageously brought Jochebed to Pharaoh’s daughter, Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut commanded Jochebed to nurse her own son, and even paid her to do so (Exodus 2:9).
Many years later, God’s plan was fulfilled and Moses led the Lord’s people out of slavery. This great act was heard about for years to come and God was made famous to people who loved Him and even people who didn’t. Why? Because women were brave.
Do you know God is asking you to do something brave, but the bench feels safer? Do you watch others play hard on the field, but find good company with other scared souls on the sidelines?
Imagine if you said, “yes,” and got in the game. Imagine how God could use you, your gifts, and your obedience to win.
What are you waiting on? It’s time to see where we do our best work for God is not in the stands or talking about what needs to be done. It’s time to be on the field, in the thick of the spiritual battle, fighting to win.
May we rise up and say, “Use me, God, as a woman, for Your glory. No more excuses. As a result, may my bravery make You wildly famous. I may be little among men, but I am fierce for Your fame!”
