For a good part of my adolescence, public speaking was a major fear of mine. I am a stutterer, and there was nothing more fearful and intimidating than speaking to an audience and not knowing how your speech impediment would be received. I went to great lengths to avoid introducing myself in group settings or reading out loud in class. This fear played a role in my choice of extracurricular activities. I was in a constant search to avoid opportunities that might lead to the possibility of speaking. 

Thank God I have released that fear – after all, I now make a living speaking and advocating on behalf of others, despite my speech impediment.  I often recall some of the opportunities presented to me and how I talked myself out of them, because I felt my speech was flawed. I take solace in the fact that Moses too wrestled with this fear and went to great lengths to avoid God’s calling. However, with God’s guidance and grace, he eventually carried out God’s commands.

Exodus Chapter 4 highlights the roadblocks and excuses that Moses created, just to avoid speaking to the elders of the Israelites and presenting God’s message. In verse 10, when all else failed, Moses got personal and told God (in my opinion) the real reason for his hesitancy; he had a speech impediment; he was not eloquent enough; and he did not feel adequately equipped to deliver God’s message. This was personal, and in fact it was the truth. Moses was not eloquent enough; he might have stuttered or had some other form of speech impediment that realistically would pose a problem.

But God did not see Moses’s human impediment as an obstruction to his work, his message, and his mission. His mission for Moses was greater than any human impediment. When it became clear that Moses’ speech served as a hurdle to this mission, God provided him with an alternative – a helper, Aaron, to provide the confidence that Moses needed.

How many of us are held back by our human impairments or disabilities? How many times have you talked yourself out of something because of what you perceive as a hindrance before anyone can even raise an objection? Are you wrestling with God’s mission and plan for your life based on your earthly impediments? What if you accepted God’s calling despite your fear and shortcomings and embraced God’s calling and mission for your life? I ask that you identify your fears and human impairments and seek God’s help and guidance to begin the journey of embracing those fears.

God bless you!

Edward