Please Send Someone Else
“You and I were created for a purpose. That purpose is to share the love of Christ and to glorify God in all that we do.”
Exodus 4:10-17 (ESV)
But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”
Reflection
It was September 15, 2015, and Steve Holdren was asked to speak at Lancaster Community Church (now known as The Tree Church) about practical steps of evangelism. Pastor Matthew introduced him as being “the biggest evangelist that I know.” Steve’s earlier life experiences had included homelessness and drug addiction, yet God was using him in incredible ways. Steve shared some amazing stories of how he allows God to use him, and, in return, how God wants to use us. I listened intently but with no feeling of conviction until Steve started praying at the end of his teaching. Then it hit me, and it hit me hard! God was challenging me to share His love with others, and I did not want to obey!
Shortly before hearing Steve’s testimony, I had been introduced to a ministry called Light in Darkness Ministry. I had been challenged to become a part of this ministry, but I was afraid. You see, Light in Darkness is a ministry that ministers to women working in strip clubs. It is dedicated to helping women who are in trouble. Most of the ministry teams focus on conversational evangelism in the clubs and reaching out to ladies trapped in the sex industry. This ministry seeks to meet both the spiritual and practical needs of the women and enables them to begin new lives.
Like Moses, I felt “slow of speech and tongue” (verse 10) and thought, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else” (verse 13). I stood there shaking from the top of my head to the tips of my toes that September Sunday. I was crying and said to those around me, “God wants me to go to the strip club, and I don't want to go!” I had been enjoying my comfort zone as I had already started another ministry where some friends and I were making jewelry to give to these ladies as gifts. I was much more at ease doing that, and so was my husband.
But it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone. I needed to be (as Steve said) “a sold-out believer - totally in” to be used by Him. And so I agreed.
It took a few weeks to complete my ministry training and for God to speak to my husband. He, too, wanted God “to send someone else”! In the end we were both obedient, and I was able to be a part of this ministry to the same Columbus strip club from 2015 until February of 2020, when COVID hit. I don't know what seeds I planted while visiting with the people there, but I have to stand firm on this statement that Steve shared: “I believe I planted an incorruptible seed that God will bring to fruition.”
You and I were created for a purpose. That purpose is to share the love of Christ and to glorify God in all that we do. These moments might be something big, like my challenge was, and like me you might want to say, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Please, don’t miss that opportunity. Or it might be the simple, everyday conversations we have with people who cross our paths at work or in a store, and, again, we might want to say, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Don’t miss these opportunities, either. What might seem insignificant to you could be a deep dive into the needs of others who are hurting.
*(You may watch Steve's entire message on The Tree Church App. Go to the search bar and locate “Steve Holdren” under “Speaker.”)
Action Steps
Are you willingly obedient and share Jesus with others? Or do you say, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else”? Take a few moments to sit in God’s presence and ask Him to reveal things to you about your heart.
Prayer
Lord, help me to take my eyes off myself with my self-imposed limitations and my need to feel comfortable. Help me be willing to step out into the deep challenges You place in my life. All our days are numbered. I have only so many days to share You with others, and they have only so many days to hear about You. Please, Lord, speak to my heart about how dire a situation this is, and help me to be a bold disciple by sharing Your love wherever I go. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”
Reflection
It was September 15, 2015, and Steve Holdren was asked to speak at Lancaster Community Church (now known as The Tree Church) about practical steps of evangelism. Pastor Matthew introduced him as being “the biggest evangelist that I know.” Steve’s earlier life experiences had included homelessness and drug addiction, yet God was using him in incredible ways. Steve shared some amazing stories of how he allows God to use him, and, in return, how God wants to use us. I listened intently but with no feeling of conviction until Steve started praying at the end of his teaching. Then it hit me, and it hit me hard! God was challenging me to share His love with others, and I did not want to obey!
Shortly before hearing Steve’s testimony, I had been introduced to a ministry called Light in Darkness Ministry. I had been challenged to become a part of this ministry, but I was afraid. You see, Light in Darkness is a ministry that ministers to women working in strip clubs. It is dedicated to helping women who are in trouble. Most of the ministry teams focus on conversational evangelism in the clubs and reaching out to ladies trapped in the sex industry. This ministry seeks to meet both the spiritual and practical needs of the women and enables them to begin new lives.
Like Moses, I felt “slow of speech and tongue” (verse 10) and thought, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else” (verse 13). I stood there shaking from the top of my head to the tips of my toes that September Sunday. I was crying and said to those around me, “God wants me to go to the strip club, and I don't want to go!” I had been enjoying my comfort zone as I had already started another ministry where some friends and I were making jewelry to give to these ladies as gifts. I was much more at ease doing that, and so was my husband.
But it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone. I needed to be (as Steve said) “a sold-out believer - totally in” to be used by Him. And so I agreed.
It took a few weeks to complete my ministry training and for God to speak to my husband. He, too, wanted God “to send someone else”! In the end we were both obedient, and I was able to be a part of this ministry to the same Columbus strip club from 2015 until February of 2020, when COVID hit. I don't know what seeds I planted while visiting with the people there, but I have to stand firm on this statement that Steve shared: “I believe I planted an incorruptible seed that God will bring to fruition.”
You and I were created for a purpose. That purpose is to share the love of Christ and to glorify God in all that we do. These moments might be something big, like my challenge was, and like me you might want to say, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Please, don’t miss that opportunity. Or it might be the simple, everyday conversations we have with people who cross our paths at work or in a store, and, again, we might want to say, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Don’t miss these opportunities, either. What might seem insignificant to you could be a deep dive into the needs of others who are hurting.
*(You may watch Steve's entire message on The Tree Church App. Go to the search bar and locate “Steve Holdren” under “Speaker.”)
Action Steps
Are you willingly obedient and share Jesus with others? Or do you say, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else”? Take a few moments to sit in God’s presence and ask Him to reveal things to you about your heart.
Prayer
Lord, help me to take my eyes off myself with my self-imposed limitations and my need to feel comfortable. Help me be willing to step out into the deep challenges You place in my life. All our days are numbered. I have only so many days to share You with others, and they have only so many days to hear about You. Please, Lord, speak to my heart about how dire a situation this is, and help me to be a bold disciple by sharing Your love wherever I go. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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