“But Moses said, ‘O my Lord, please send someone else.’–Exodus 4:13

“But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.”–Acts 9:13

Several years ago, I was eating lunch by myself in a fast-food restaurant when I overheard a conversation between two women in the booth behind me.  As a general rule, I don’t make a practice of eavesdropping, but on this particular day I was quietly eating and thus heard clearly a true story that one woman shared with the other.

Apparently her young son was playing with a little girl in the neighborhood.  They soon grew bored with whatever game had occupied their attention and after considering several different options the girl suggested they play “Sleeping Beauty.”  The boy was fine with that idea and even agreed when his companion said he would be the prince and she the snoozing maiden.  Yet the girl pushed her luck when she then explained part of what would be involved in their respective roles.  “As the prince, of course, you’ll have to kiss me to wake me up.”  The boy was quiet for a second and replied “Instead of being the prince, I think I’ll be the horse!”        

In our life, too, there can be moments when we resist the role that has been placed before us.  Moses tried to talk God out of being sent to Pharaoh and Ananias pushed back on Jesus’ assignment of going to Saul, the renowned persecutor of Christians. Jonah didn’t want to tell the people of Ninevah to repent and ended up with some less-than-ideal accommodations at the sea. In each case, those individuals from that past eventually relented and the divine plan moved ahead, but I suspect their first response feels natural and familiar to many of us.

A long-time mentor leaves the company and asks you to apply for her position. A social worker calls you late one afternoon with word of a child who needs fostering just when you had decided to cut back on your commitments.  A group of neighbors encourages you to run for elected office because they recognize in you gifts the community needs.  In such times and countless others you can be like that boy of long ago and respond “I’d rather be the horse.”   

Yet then there is that Biblical example of a young woman named Mary who learns that she has been chosen to bear the very son of God and after asking a few questions tells the messenger “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”     

What is God seeking for you to do this day?  What is the challenging task that is before your eyes?  I can’t answer that question of course nor am I trying to suggest we are always to take on every hard role or assignment that comes our way.  Yet what I would encourage you to consider is that maybe the task that terrifies you most or the possibility that keeps you awake at night and distracted during the day is the very thing that you need to do.  

Divine Sender, you know my abilities and the needs of this world better than I.  Help me to discern the role you place before me and then to step forward in trust.  Amen.