Small Calls

Moses’ call gets all the attention.

Everyone knows about the burning bush and God’s momentous call for Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt.

We know the Lord has carefully prepared Moses—raised in Pharaoh’s court and now familiar with wilderness topography—for this huge task of leadership.

His brother Aaron’s call gets much less attention.

He too receives a message from God. In fact, Aaron’s calling comes before the burning bush episode.

Aaron’s call is small—just a quiet word from the Lord, “Go out into the wilderness to meet Moses.” (Exodus 4:27 NLT).  He starts obediently on his way, little knowing that his life will change completely.

I love to watch how the Lord intertwines these two calls.

At the burning bush, Moses tries desperately to wiggle out of the task assigned to him: “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now…I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled…Lord, please! Send anyone else.” (Exodus 4:10 and 13 NLT)

But the Lord has already solved Moses’ problem with slowness of speech:

“All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now...Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you...He will be your mouthpiece…” (Exodus 4:14-16 NLT)

God has prepared Moses to lead the Israelites. He has also gifted Aaron with good speaking ability. In exactly the area where Moses is lacking, Aaron is hand-picked to come alongside him.

Aaron’s small call to visit his brother is intertwined with Moses’ large call, and together they accomplish God’s purposes.

Aaron’s call encourages me because it rings true with life experience.

Most of us do not receive large calls to a leadership task like Moses. But we do receive small calls which—if heard and obeyed like Aaron—promote God’s kingdom purposes.

We may not be called to lead a church, but God may ask us to employ our gifts to help alongside the pastoral staff.

We may not be asked to initiate a homeless ministry, but may indeed hear the Lord say, “Use your gift of hospitality to welcome people at the Neighborhood Center.”   

God the Spirit is continually at work, gifting his children to work alongside each other—helping where others are lacking. As Paul says, “There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.” (I Cor. 12:5 NLT)

Aaron is 83 years old when the Lord tells him to meet his brother in the wilderness. Evidently the Lord doesn't think Aaron is too old to serve God.  

Let’s stay alert to God’s small calls in old age. We never know where they may lead us!

©MarionSpeicherBrown