Following the God who goes first

Photo by Tracy Higashi on Unsplash

As I write this note, I’m ending my third week working as the EMC’s new communications director. Starting a new job, in many ways, is the beginning of new stress. The introduction to co-workers, office procedures, and technology, coupled with the desire to look competent, feels like falling into an avalanche. In my case, knowing that my predecessor, Erica Fehr, left such a wonderful legacy increases my stress. Erica, in her role as managing editor of The Messenger and communications director for the EMC, embodied faithfulness, wisdom, and fidelity to the Conference. As I learn each facet of my job, I see her fingerprints. I pray I can emulate Erica’s legacy as I attempt to fill her shoes.

Moses, the Old Testament leader in Exodus to Deuteronomy, comes to mind in these times. Moses had a rocky start to his job as shepherd of Israel. For one, when Moses initially heard the Lord’s call, he repeatedly denied his assignment. When he finally accepted God’s mission, he fumbled frequently as a leader. There were times when he thought it was best to judge Israel alone, until Jethro, his father-in-law, offered counsel. There’s the time he failed to circumcise his son in accordance with the Torah. Thankfully, his wife, Zipporah, stepped in, saving him and ultimately their family. Then there’s the event Moses is most famous for: striking a rock with his staff instead of speaking to it, resulting in him being barred from the Promised Land. Despite being such a tremendous leader, Moses’ legacy was stippled with errors.

On the flip side, reading Moses’ story—along with the stories of most Old Testament figures—reminds us of the God we love. God is gracious and compassionate, caring less about our reaching an untouchable perfection and more about doing wonders through our weaknesses. I’ve repeatedly turned to what A. W. Tozer wrote, “We cannot think rightly of God until we begin to think of Him as always being there, and there first” (The Knowledge of the Holy). God always goes first because his sovereign nature is to lead his creations.

As we begin our work, what does it look like to know that God is already present?

As we begin our work, what does it look like to know that God is already present? What if we knew God had already worked out our emails, sales pitches, pastoral appointments, mail routes, or payroll reports before we ever arrived? What if, in all things, we understood God goes before his people, rather than vice versa? I believe it results in a life lived in the shelter of God’s safekeeping. It’s like what the Apostle Paul speaks to the people of Athens in the Areopagus: “[God] is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:27).

What the stories of the Old Testament teach us is that God loves to use the kind of people we’d least expect. People like you, me, and a guy named Moses, who, despite his colossal failures, is commended for tremendous faith in Hebrews 11.

Whatever your occupation, as you start this week, remember the God who makes paths straight, opens blind eyes, never fails in love, and brings life from death. Not only does he do that for the world, but also for you.