It was a Sunday morning.  I made my way to my room, wirelessly connected my iPhone, and began blasting gospel music as I prepared to shower.  While brushing my teeth I noticed my 3 year old son had walked in with his little Ninja Turtle snare drum and sticks in hand.  He sat on the floor at the foot of our bed and began beating out the rhythms.  My wife got my attention and pointed in his direction.  We both smiled and I responded, “That’s how I learned how to play the drums.”  I began telling her the story.  When I was around 9 years old I could be found staring at our church drummer during church services, mimicking her every move.  Weeks later my Dad arrived home from work and handed me a brand new set of drum sticks.  In my mind’s eye they sparkled like a diamonds.  He stated, “Come on, lets go play,” with a smile on his face.  I responded, “But I don’t have any drums,” with a glimmer of hope in my voice.  I doubt I hid my excitement very well as I envisioned a new set of drums in our living room.  He said, “Doesn’t matter, come on!” as more of a demand than a choice.  We walked into the kitchen and he made his way to the cabinets and stove to retrieve bowls and pots.  He placed them on the table in an order resembling drums and pointed for me to sit.  As I sat down, confused, he made his way to the living room to turn on the stereo system.  He chose a CD by a group called Commissioned and began playing it.  He rounded the corner back to the kitchen and responded, “Start practicing,” as he walked away.  After taking a few seconds to mourn the loss of the drums I had envisioned, I went to work banging out the rhythms.  In the days to come I did the same.  A short while later I received a call from my (then) pastor requesting a play the drums for a while.  I responded, “Okay!  When do you want me to start?”  “Tomorrow night,” he replied.  I thanked him and hung up the phone.  As I placed the phone on its base fear gripped me.  What have I done?  I found my Dad and recalled the conversation.  His response was, “Okay.”  I demanded, “Wait!  I’m not ready.”  He responded, “Yes, you are,” and walked away.  I did begin playing the drums that following evening at our church and did quite well for an inexperienced 9 year old.  By the time I had finished my story I had already made my way into the shower.  Standing at the sink my wife repeated my former statement as she giggled, “But, Daddy, I don’t have any drums—like he didn’t already know that.”  I too laughed at my younger self as my mind began turning.

Isn’t that how we all are?  God calls us to do something for the kingdom and our first response is, “But, Daddy, I don’t have… [you fill in the blank]!”  Have you ever noticed God is never concerned with the very details we place so much importance on.  He’s simply looking for a willing vessel.  We start worry about everything that could go wrong while He’s beckoning us to simply get to work.  But you’re in good company.  Even one of the All-Stars of the Bible, Moses, had his fearful moments when called to do great things for the kingdom.  God instructed Moses to speak to Pharaoh demanding the Israelites be released.  Exodus 4:10 finds Moses saying, “…”Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”” [Ex. 4:10]  Do you think God was shocked Moses had a stuttering problem?  Not even for a moment.  Ignorantly, he continues to remind Him of this fact but God’s will was not to be stopped.  In Moses defense what God had called him to was HUGE!  Scholars estimate the Israelites numbered between 2.5-3.5 million people.  Just figuring out the details to even begin a movement of this sort has my mind spinning.  It’s important to realize the burden to provide the avenue for us to serve the kingdom after we’ve been called to do such falls to God’s shoulders.  We simply have to show up, employ some elbow grease, and follow His leading.  As the old saying goes, “He doesn’t call the equipped…..He equips the called.”

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Don’t sweat the small stuff today.  If God is calling you out of your comfortable surroundings for kingdom purposes His intentions aren’t to leave alone.  Your steps of faith could result in God-sized miracles.  All He needs from you is willingness and submission.  It’s His job to make the crooked places straight.  Will you step out in faith today?