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One of the best movies I’ve seen recently was The King’s Speech, which deserved every Oscar it won, in my opinion. It’s the story of Prince Albert of York, second in line to the throne of England. Because of his birth order and a speech impediment, he thought it would be impossible for him to ever play a significant role in history. Because he stuttered so badly, he was shy and longed for the shadows. But the shadows were not an option. Adolf Hitler was slowly extending his darkness across Europe, and after the death of his father and the abdication of his feckless older brother, Britain was left leaderless on the brink of the second world war. And nobody understood better what was needed of the King of Great Britain than Prince Albert.
Fortunately, the king found a friend who wouldn’t let him be anything less than he needed to be. Lionel Logue – an Australian actor who moonlights as a speech therapist – begins working with Prince Albert, helping him to give a flawless radio address to a fearful nation on the eve of WWII.
The high point of the movie comes immediately prior to the king’s coronation. Logue slouches in the throne – the throne Albert seems almost in holy terror of, and asks irreverently why he should listen to Prince Albert. Albert angrily stammers and finally shouts, “because I have a voice!” This reluctant voice would reassure the nation through the darkest days of WWII.
What calling are you hiding from?
In Exodus 3, Moses was hiding from his calling.
Having jumped the gun and attempted to do what he felt was God’s plan in his own way and in his own time, Moses found himself alone, wandering in the desert of Midian, running from the most powerful ruler in that part of the world.
So Moses – the former prince of Egypt – became a shepherd. Instead of leading armies and governing provinces, he chased stubborn, wayward sheep across the hills and wastelands of Arabia. For forty years, Moses spent his days watching his father-in-law’s sheep. I imagine the first years were hard, and he was certainly homesick. But four decades in, he had a family, and he’d probably long since decided that God had forgotten him.
But that’s not where the story ends, is it?
God had a plan for those wilderness years. And while Moses had no doubt given up all thoughts of being useful to God, God had been carefully grooming him. After all, what better training for patiently leading a group of ex-slaves for 40 years is there than patiently watching sheep? God Himself likens His people – you and me – to sheep, after all! And when God’s timing was right, He called Moses to go and do the thing Moses had once felt he’d been created to do.
Moses responded with excuses. I’m not smart enough. I’m not eloquent enough. The people won’t believe me. There’s someone better, God. Send them.
How many of those excuses have you used?
Just as God molded and shaped Moses for 80 years (40 in Egypt and 40 in Midian) to in many ways make the children of Abraham into the Nation of Israel, He has created you and has guided the events of your life for a purpose (or, more likely, many purposes). The scars and wounds from mistakes and bad decisions? He’s using them to make you uniquely qualified to do incredible things for Him. That passion you can barely keep under control? He’s been kindling that fire for just the perfect time.
But when the time comes and God calls – how will you respond? Will you answer like Prince Albert? Or will you make excuses, trying to convince God – God! – that He’s got the wrong guy?
He’s created you and me to play a significant role in the outworking of His divine plan. He’s qualified you, gifted you – and He’ll continue to support and empower you. He’s given you a voice to proclaim His glory, to make Him famous. All He asks is that you and I trust and obey.
Will you use your voice for Him?
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