In this week’s lesson, we are learning about when Moses was called to lead God’s people out of Egypt. He was very reluctant to take this calling. After several miraculous signs confirmed his calling, Moses still asked to be relieved of his responsibilities.

But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” Exodus 4:13 NKJV

Of course, we know Moses goes on to take this calling and leads God’s people out of Egypt. I’m sharing here what I would like to know. How did Moses go all the way from saying, “Send anyone but me,” to telling God right after one of Israel’s lowest points,

Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” Exodus 32:32 NKJV

What I want to know is, what made Moses go from “I don’t want anything to do with this mission” to “I am willing to be blotted out of the book of life if that’s what it takes to make this mission a success.” 

Photograph by William Earnhardt

While contemplating this, I think I found a clue. Moses spent a lot of time with God before the golden calf incident. God was instructing Moses concerning the sanctuary and the plan of salvation. In the sanctuary, did Moses get a glimpse of the cross? Of course, Moses had already received glimpses of the cross, like the first Passover, for example. Did the shadow of the cross change Moses’ whole disposition and attitude? Moses went from trying to avoid leading the people to immediately interceding for them when they were causing trouble. When  Mirriam has leprosy, Moses immediately intercedes for her. Then in Numbers 16, when Korah leads a rebellion, Moses again intercedes for others in the camp.

I believe Moses saw something in the sanctuary service. I believe he saw something in the shadow of the cross that radically changed his ministry. 

I shared this story before, so I will be brief here. However, I recall that when I was a literature evangelist, I was very bitter that I did not receive the award I had expected to receive. Later  I found myself walking through an old cemetery, pondering the meaning of life, when I realized I was not alive to receive awards. I was alive to share the hope of Jesus. Once I took my eyes off my pain and set them back on the cross, everything in my life made sense and became balanced again. That was 35 years ago. Ever since then, I have found that when I become hurt, bitter, and discouraged, it is because I have taken my eyes off the cross and centered them on self. At the time, I justified it by calling it self-care and taking care of my own mental health. Every time I shift my focus away from myself and back to the cross, I find healing. It’s no wonder Isaiah 53:5 states, “by His stripes we are healed.”

Regardless of what our calling is, it can be anything from parenting to leading a large organization to hosting a small group Bible study, we all have had moments when we want to throw in the towel and call it quits. Life is hard for everyone. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us no temptation comes to us but what is common to all humanity. Moses had his moments, and Elijah had his too. And so do we when we just want to throw in the towel and be done with it all. When these moments come, take some time for self-care. Take a mental health day or at least a mental health hour. But instead of a self-pity party, try this instead.  

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit.-Ellen White,  Desire of Ages, p. 83.

May I add that our mental health will be restored and balanced again, so we will be encouraged to complete the mission God has called us to. It is when I take my eyes off the cross that discouragement sets in, and I am tempted to throw in the towel and find a nice island on Google Maps where I can go live by myself. You can’t believe I just shared that on an open forum? Well, 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells me I am not alone. It happened to Moses. It happened to Elijah. I bet it’s crossed your mind too. That’s why I am sharing with you that when I place my eyes back on the cross, I find healing for my mental health. I find peace, courage, and even the happiness I need to continue my calling. 

I think Moses went from running away from his God-given ministry to fiercely interceding for those he was called to minister to when he saw the glory of God’s love and His amazing sacrifice. Nothing ruins a perfectly good self-pity, woe-is-me party like the cross. Nothing brings healing, mental health, and mental stability like the cross to take on the toughest missions. It is when I look at the cross that everything in my heart and mind becomes reconciled and I am at peace. By His stripes I am healed. Isaiah 53:5.

I invite you to join me this quarter as we witness God’s grace transform Moses and the way he conducts ministry. 

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