Patti Burris

As Christians, we are here to glorify God and reach those in our sphere of influence with the Gospel. In order to fulfill that purpose, God has placed a special call on each one of our lives. A special population that we are to go to and share Jesus with. Some are called to be marketplace missionaries. Some are called to witness to those in foreign lands and some are to share Jesus with a special population, such as foster kids, immigrants, women, men or even single moms. I have been called to share the love of Jesus with single moms. I don’t know the specifics of my calling yet, honestly, I have felt afraid of this calling and as much as I try to manipulate it, I am terrified of it.

I identify with Moses as He stands before God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1- Exodus 4:17). In verse 3:11, Moses says to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” I have had the same argument, “Lord, I am no one. I am not an expert on single moms. I am not a book author. I am a nobody. I am not equipped for this calling.”

In verse 4:1, Moses voices another concern to God, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘the Lord did not appear to you’?” I have had a similar exchange with God, “what if they don’t listen to me? What if they ask me questions that I can’t answer? What if they don’t believe how great you are?”

In verse 4:10, Moses again questions God, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past or since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” WOW! How I identify with Moses on that one! My own persistent exchange has sounded much the same, “Lord, you know I suffer from social anxieties. You know I get tongue tied when expected to speak and my brain and tongue disconnect. You know that I can not speak like these professional speakers who do this for a living. I will stand there speechless and my face will turn red from embarrassment.”

And in verse 4:13, Moses really angers God in his last ditch effort to get out of God’s call on his life, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Yep, almost word for word my own plea, “I can’t do this. Please send someone else.”

I know from the persistent tugging at my heart, that God is not going to let me out of it and He has answered my concerns in much the same way that He answered Moses. “You are my child. You  are a single mom with 15 years experience. You have a heart for me and a desire to do my will. You have your own testimony of my goodness towards you and your children. Do not concern yourself with whether they listen or not, simply share your own story of how I have worked in your life and I will take care of the rest. Let them see Jesus in the life you lead and I will work out everything else. You have more courage than you know. People will listen to you. I will open the hearts of my people towards single moms simply because you have walked in obedience. I will give you the words. I will equip you. I will pave the way before you and I will walk with you. I will never leave you.”

Do not ever think that you are not good enough to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. You are good enough, just as you are. God uses the broken, slow of speech, poor, awkward person to fulfill His will. Step out in faith. Make a move today towards the goodness and blessing that God has waiting for you. Step out in obedience and see if God doesn’t show up in miraculous ways.

As for me, I am just waiting to see what my next step is. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you! Let me know how God has used you and let me know how I can pray for you. God Bless!