Stayers: Supporting Global Workers Long-term

Moses’ story in Exodus reveals 3 ways in which God walked with Moses, and in the same way continues to walk with us. Understanding the reality of these 3 elements can provide insight and ideas to support global workers (GWs) to stay on the field. 

Called 

When God calls Moses out of the burning bush, he responds with, “Here I am!” (Exodus 3:4). Moses willingly approaches God, who proclaims Himself to be the God of his forefathers. After this, God reveals His plan to free the Israelites (Exodus 3:6-10). Moses is not quite convinced that they will want to receive him, so God further reveals who He is, instructing him to say, “I AM has sent me to you.” Knowing who God is acts as an important catalyst for mission. Without knowing who sent Moses, the Israelites would have had no reason to listen, and Moses would have had no confidence in his calling. Moses’ experience of the burning bush illustrates that the revelation of God’s identity––knowing God––is an integral part of GWs understanding their calling and continuing their work. 

Equipped 

After God’s revelation in Exodus 3, Moses faces doubt about his calling to lead. He turns to the Lord and voices his apprehension and worry (Exodus 4:10). The Lord hears Moses and names Aaron, his brother, as a mouthpiece for Moses (Exodus 4:15). After receiving God’s reassurance that Moses would not be alone, Moses obeys and immediately returns to Egypt with his family (Exodus 4:20). Passages in the New Testament, such as Ephesians 2:10 and Romans 12:6-8, further assure GWs that God has prepared good works for them, and so will also equip them to fulfill these works. 

Sustained 

Moses’ story encourages GWs that as God calls and equips, He also sustains. God sustains Moses through the disappointment of a ministry set-back, when the Israelites turned to idol worship and crafted their golden calf. In conjunction with this ministry challenge, Moses asks the Lord to reveal His glory to him (Exodus 33:17-18). Instead of resorting to a fix-it mentality, Moses leaves the Israelites to retreat to the mountain in solitude, and asks to see God’s glory. No one else witnesses Moses’ experience of seeing God’s glory. It was a holy moment between the Lord and Moses, a quiet moment of intimacy amidst the reality of the Israelites’ disobedience. I believe this intimacy was a way in which God sustained Moses, reminding him that he was not alone. Moses’ story illustrates that God calls His workers, equips them and sustains them by encouraging His workers to spend time in solitude with Him. 

Suggestions 

As GWs there are several ways we can apply the knowledge of God’s calling, equipping and sustaining to encourage ourselves and each other. Reach out to [email protected] for resources and discussion questions related to calling, equipping and sustaining.