What is your response when you’re given an important assignment? We may have a number of reservations. At the forefront of our thinking is the question, “Who am I?” The reason is that we may feel inadequate for the task. That’s how Moses felt when God gave him a major assignment,

But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)

Moses had been on the backside of the desert for about forty years. When he was a younger man, he had a desire to see his people set free, but now he’s about eighty. God did not answer Moses’ question, but He gave him a promise,

And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12)

The issue is not who is Moses, but who is God. We may be reluctant to accept God’s assignment because we not only wonder, “Who am I?” but we wonder, “Who is God?” Moses is not sure who God is and from his reply to God, presumably the Israelites aren’t clear on God’s identity either,

Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:13)

God reveals Himself to Moses in a new and fresh way,

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)

The meaning of God’s statement is “I am He who exists” and this emphasizes God’s nearness, His concern for man, and His redemptive covenant. The name “I AM” describes God’s self-existence as One who has always existed and always will exist. Theologians refer to this as the doctrine of aseity which comes from the Latin word meaning “of oneself”.  God exists in and of Himself, independent of anything else. Jesus expressed this concept in His discussion with the Jewish leaders,

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8:58)

The Jewish leaders understood the significance of Jesus’ words as they accused Him of blasphemy and sought to stone Him,

Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. (John 8:59)

When you see God for who He truly is, then you have confidence to step out and accept His assignment for you. It’s not about your ability, but His capability to work in and through your life. God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called – and you have been called. What great assignment does God have for you? Do you know who is calling?

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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