Moses and God in the burning bush
In our weekly Chaplaincy meetings, people from across Livability’s services have begun studying the story of Moses. We’re up to Exodus chapters 4 and 5, the very famous interaction between Moses and God in the burning bush.
Early on, we hear Moses saying: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?”. He’s counted himself out of the role, and it takes a while before he’s able to say yes to God. We later find it’s at least in part because of his communication impairment:
Moses: “Lord, I’ve never been a good speaker. And I haven’t got any better since you spoke to me. I don’t speak very well at all.”
God: “Who makes human beings able to talk? Who makes them unable to hear or speak? Who makes them able to see? Who makes them blind? It is I, the Lord. Now go. I will help you speak. I will teach you what to say.”
Moses: “Lord, please send someone else to do it.”
God: “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you. He will be glad to see you. Speak to him. Tell him what to say. I will help both of you to speak. I will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you. He will be like your mouth. And you will be like God to him.”
When God’s plan for a reasonable adjustment, a promise to be with Moses, isn’t going to make the difference, the new plan of Aaron being physically alongside him as a spokesperson is exactly what enables Moses’ work to get going.
Sometimes in this picture we’re a Moses, reluctant to start something when we feel we lack a vital skill or capability. We know an unjust situation has to change, but we don’t want to be the one to lead, and certainly not on our own.
But we might not see ourselves as others do, as having a unique perspective on a situation, or exceptional passion for the cause. We might believe we are alone.
God’s confidence that “Aaron will be glad to see you” brings great hope to many people whose calling is a bit bigger than their individual capacity. Alongside the great Moses-like callings, there are these humbler ones, to be the companion, the mouthpiece of someone else’s message.
I hope that as Livability recruits chaplains, many will be called to enable and release the callings of Livability’s staff and the people with disabilities Livability supports, standing beside them as they fulfil their life’s purpose.
Sometimes in this picture, we may be the one who surprises someone with the suggestion of a new area of work. When we’re inviting someone to take up a new role, do we give them the space to negotiate, and listen to what might be holding them back? Are we flexible enough to bring someone alongside to enable them? Your best intercessor might be hesitant about physically standing up in front of others, your most welcoming refreshments-maker might be reluctant because of the weight of the teapot.
The right approach to the invitation, a change in how the role is done, or a helper could mean they can say yes.
In recruiting chaplains, I’m keen to use what people do have to bring, and not expect the full package from a single individual. The roles will be designed as part of a team, so that disabled and non-disabled chaplains can work alongside each other, those of mature faith can release gifts of those early in their faith journey, and together we can minister well.
