Show me Your Glory part 2
Do you, Children’s Ministry Director or leader, struggle to find volunteers? Do you ever wonder why it seems God sometimes leaves you hanging? Could it be that He wants you to depend on Him and only Him? Could it be that He wants to show you His glory?
Do you, Children’s Ministry Director or leader, struggle to find volunteers? Do you ever wonder why it seems God sometimes leaves you hanging? Could it be that He wants you to depend on Him and only Him? Could it be that He wants to show you His glory?
In my last blog we left the Israelites complaining about the lack of food and water. Exodus 16:2 tells us “the entire company of Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron in the desert.” It was only the 2ndmonth after their exodus from Egypt and this was already their third occurrence of grumbling and complaining against God and against Moses. God provided manna for them with instructions to only gather what they would need for the day. This was God’s object lesson for the people. He was teaching them daily dependence on Him.
Shortly after the food and water incident, God called Moses up Mt. Sinai for further instructions. He was gone from the people for over a month and in that time the people saw fit to construct for themselves a golden calf to worship. God was angry with the people and was ready to destroy them all (Ex. 32:9-1). After Moses’ intercession, God relented (Ex. 32:14) but the people still suffered the consequences for their sin. God told Moses they could continue but that He would not go with them, He would send an angel instead (Ex. 33:3). Moses did not want an angel leading them. He made three requests of God:
- He wanted to know God. “…show me your way, that I may know you…” (Ex 33:13). This was much more than simple knowledge of and/or an awareness of God. Moses knew about God, had experienced God and had already seen God do some miraculous things and yet he wanted more. Moses wanted an intimate knowledge of the person of God.
- Moses wanted God’s assurance that He would lead them. “If your presence does not go with us, do not take us up from here” (Ex 33:15). Moses would rather stay put then travel without God leading them.
- Moses wanted to see God’s glory. “Show me your glory” (Ex. 33:18). What a bold request. Amazingly, God agreed! God would show Moses as much as He could without harming him. God would show Moses His back but not His face because no one can see God and live (Ex. 33:19-23). We cannot fully comprehend exactly what Moses saw that day. We do know Moses experienced God in a unique way and amazing way.
You, Children’s Ministry leader, have been called to lead your group. Some will always find reason to complain about something; others will be a joy to lead. You will have good days and you will have those Sunday mornings when noon cannot come quick enough. Learn from Moses. Ask to know God intimately. This intimate knowledge of God will be what keeps you going when you think you cannot continue. Ask God to lead you and then follow only Him. Then ask God to show you His glory. Glory, in Scripture, is most often used to indicate God’s presence. When you find yourselves short on volunteers and on patience, ask God to show you His glory. Then, like Moses, experience God in a whole new way.
