Whose Lives Are You Intending to SERVE and IMPACT in the Year Ahead?

Who are the people whose lives you are intending to SERVE and IMPACT in the year ahead?

Moses was a fugitive on the run when he left Egypt at age 40. Born to be a prince, he ended up murdering someone instead. His life should have been over. But God had a different outcome in mind!

After he fled from Egypt, the next 40 years of Moses’ life would be spent in the wilderness where he would find a wife and have children. He became a shepherd taking care of his father-in-law’s flocks as well as his own.

It was here in this dry, arid place where Moses would learn how to be resourceful in order to care for his family; providing things like food, clothing and shelter; water for both them and their flocks; as well as defending and protecting them from any and all threats.

It was in the wilderness where Moses would learn what it meant to serve others and understand how his servant-leadership impacted the lives of those under his care.

It would also seem like Moses was content to live out the rest of his life in exile, as a shepherd taking care of his family and flocks in the wilderness. He left his old life in Egypt as a fugitive along with his shattered hopes and dreams. That life was now over, or so he thought. 

But then God captured Moses’ attention through a burning bush. He called him by name. God did this to resurrect what would have been a shattered hope or broken dream in Moses’ mind. And this encounter with God would not only change the course of his life, but also position Moses to serve and impact millions of people he never would have thought or imagined!  

What can we learn from Moses’ encounter with God, about the people whose lives God is uniquely calling each of us to SERVE and IMPACT? Whose lives are you INTENDING to serve and impact in the year ahead?

The Bible tells us that during Moses’ exile in the wilderness . . .

† Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.‬‬

Exodus‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT

We don’t always understand God’s timing. But what we do know from this passage above is that . . .

God is moved by the prayers of His people. 

Their cry for help caught God’s attention. When He heard their cry it caused God to remember His covenant promise with their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And when He looked upon their affliction, it became God’s timing to do something about it.

The story continues . . .

† One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” 

When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” 

“Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.“‬‬

Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT

God used a bush that was burning in an unusual way to capture Moses’ attention. The bush was engulfed in flames, but it wasn’t burning up. 

Moses was so captured by this amazing sight, he couldn’t just walk away. He had to go and investigate why the bush was burning in such an unusual way.

God’s vision and plan to deliver His people from their slavery and bondage in Egypt was about to be revealed. But notice . . .  

It was only after Moses drew near to take a closer look that God called Moses by name. 

Had Moses not been captured by what he was seeing, and curious enough to draw near to take a closer look, this story could have very well turned out differently.  

The interesting thing here is that God didn’t just want to capture Moses’ attention with a burning bush. God wanted Moses to capture the renewed vision God had to deliver His people from their slavery and bondage in Egypt; a vision in which Moses was being called to play an integral part in.

God called Moses to give Him his undivided attention. God said to Moses, . . .

† ”Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached Me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead My people Israel out of Egypt.”‬‬

Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT

What we learn here in this passage above is that Moses’ calling to serve and impact a specific group of people was predicated on two things: (1) God heard their prayers and (2) He saw their affliction. 

Because of these two things, God then says to Moses, “Now go, for I am sending you.”

Let me encourage you today:

The Bible says, . . .

† God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ‭‭

1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ NLT

If you want to be intentional about serving and impacting the lives of those the Lord has called you to, start praying for them now and asking God for an anointing to better serve and impact their lives. 

Knock on God’s door often, pleading with Him to prepare you for those divine appointments He has already ordained with those whom He has heard their prayers, seen their affliction and sending you to be a gift and blessing in their lives. 

When we use the gifts God has given us to serve each other well, not only do we honor Him and His Word, but we can also expect Him to put us in places to better serve and impact people whose lives He desires to divinely touch through our lives! 

Let me PRAY for you!