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By Mike Caton

Exodus 4:3, “The LORD said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.”

Can you imagine Moses’ first thought when his old, ordinary staff, the one he had been carrying every single day, turned into a snake? We are not told anymore about the snake than that. But wouldn’t you like to know a little more? How big was it? Most of the staffs were pretty big – 5, 6, 8 foot long, depending on who was carrying it. Was the snake a big as the staff? Was the snake venomous? What kind was it? I don’t even know what kinds of snakes live in that part of the world, but that doesn’t matter. God could have made it any kind he wanted.

And Moses does the manly thing by running away from it! But then again, who can blame him? This was no doubt the last thing he expected when his staff hit the ground. But doesn’t God often surprise us anyway? This is an account about surprises for Moses here; a burning bush that is not consumed, God speaking to him, the fact he is on holy ground, God calling him to return to Egypt and free his people. There is no way Moses could have imagined any of this when he woke up that morning.

But again, isn’t that the way God often works. He takes us from our comfortable place into places he wants us to be. There is really nothing wrong with comfortable, until it becomes content. We can get so settled in, so used to things the way they are, that we forget there are other things that need doing. And we forget there are others who need helping. And so, sometimes, God calls us to get out of our comfort zone. Maybe we could start praying to recognize those opportunities; to see as God sees and find people who need a little help or encouragement. Maybe we ought to listen closer when God calls us to something different, something that might make us uneasy. But it all comes back to listening and obeying God.

Father, show me an opportunity to help someone today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works full time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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