Permission Is A Good Thing

You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs." Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace." And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead."

In my devotions recently I was struck by the whole of the few verses you read there.

The size, breadth and depth of the two conversations are staggering in the gap of their proportion. God first speaks to Moses and God gives Moses instruction. God gives Moses marching orders and it is God who explains to Moses the outcomes and what will be Moses' future mission.

Then Moses, and for most of us this would be a peculiar thing goes back to his father-in-law and asks permission if he might go and change the future for all humanity for all of time.

Doesn't that strike you as amazing? Let me tell you folks if God is giving me instructions I am not sure at what level of humility I am asking another human, even a dad-in-law (and mine was a great man) if I can do it!

Moses, approached his father-in-law Jethro and asked permission to return to Egypt.

Now I am sure that Moses didn't tell Jethro everything at that point, but he let the man know there was something stirring in his heart. After years and years of virtual silence about his life and background back in Egypt, Moses said to Jethro, "It's time for me to go back. There's some unfinished business that needs attention. Is it okay with you?"

When you have heard the voice of God calling you in a new direction - confirming that direction through His personal leadership and directive actions to you; perhaps even through events, and through the wisdom of godly counselors - the result of that thought process needs to be communicated with the important people in your life, family, mentor's, your pastor.

I believe that this is especially true if you are young. Why? Because your family has not had the benefit of your personal sign and wonder; the voice of God in your ear or heart, the burning bush. You've heard God's voice; that's not true for them. They may not know or understand what God has said to you. They still feel like you should be going in a previously agreed upon direction. You need to give them a heads up. More than this you need to encourage their lives with your revelation! Without this it will seem to them you have lost direction and that you are talking about a whole new set of plans apart from the life they envision for you.

These kinds of major course changes can seem upsetting, or even frightening, to those who care about you, especially parents. You need to be gracious enough to give them some helpful information on how God has changed your direction. They need to understand your conviction and, if they are godly, be allowed time to let the Holy Spirit work in them as well.

This exchange between these two men leads me to two principles worth your thoughtful consideration. First of all, when God crystallizes a plan for your life, perhaps nudging you in a new direction, be extremely sensitive how you communicate that to others. Don't assume they know all you know about the process. Don't expect them to greet the idea with immediate acceptance and open arms. Give them the courtesy of time and space to think things through. Communicate your thoughts with tenderness, care, and understanding.

The second thing to notice is that this plan flowed. When you are in the center of God's will, my friend, it flows. It doesn't have to be forced. Moses said, "Jethro, may I go?" And Jethro replied, "Go in peace." Moses could move into what would prove to be a difficult ministry knowing things back home were just fine. But, for Moses, he was now a "sent one." His mind and perspective were sharp and clear. "What to do next" would flow from his marching orders.

It is a very humbling experience to be moving in the direct current of God's will. Why humbling? Because at all times you realize just how much bigger the task is than you are. But it can also bring fresh assurance. It is the assurance that you were raised up, had come through the blood of Jesus Christ, ordained, and sent for such a time as this!

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~