“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (Ex 3:10. ESV)

A great commission for Moses! But then here is how Moses responded to this great commission:

• But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex 3:11)

• Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Ex 3:13)

• Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear toyou.’” (Ex 4:1)

• 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.” (Ex 4:10) But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” (Ex 4:13, ESV)

Moses rejected God again and again with different excuses or reasons! They are quite valid in some senses. Moses, being a runaway murderer, a fugitive, a shepherd, an ineloquent speaker and an illegal throne successor specially, seemed to have all the personal and good reasons to keep himself out of trouble or challenge. He said no again and again to God’s calling!

Sound familiar?! Many of us may say lots of “no” to God’s calling everyday by quoting all kinds of excuses to justify our disobedience, reluctance, fear or unwillingness. We set many boundaries to limit ourselves from serving God and bringing His Gospel to the world:

we do not have time; we do not have enough money; we do not know the culture and language; we do not know what to do; we think the place is too far; we think the ministry may not produce any foreseeable result; we think the ministry is beyond our capacity; we say we are not the right persons to do it! We can list out many external and internal boundaries. But can God be restrained?!

ACEM Missions Conference has stepped into 40th anniversary. God is so amazing and is blessing ACEM churches, which are able to go out to spread the world to different parts of the world. Not only we have to give thanks to God but also we should never feel satisfied with what we have been trying and learning. God continues to open different doors locally and globally for ACEM churches to spread the Gospel according to each church’s context and capacity. Do we still continually respond to HIS providence, forgiveness, love and grace faithfully that we can keep open mind and open hand to God’s great commission?

This year our theme is “Beyond Boundaries”. We believe it is necessary for us to search our hearts to see if we set any boundaries to ourselves and then limit ourselves from responding to God’s calling faithfully. When Moses rejected God again and again, that is what he got from God finally:

• “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.’” (Ex 4:14, ESV)

God was angry at Moses but HE showed HIS grace to him. He had prepared Aaron to assist Moses. Our God is always gracious to us even though we are weak in faith before HIM. Brothers and sisters, let us be honest before our God and ask for HIS forgiveness and guidance. God knows our limitations and even boundaries but HE also may have prepared the best plan to help us spread HIS Words. HE is the true mastermind of HIS work. HE is never out of ideas and resources. But HE needs our faithful response and then engages us in HIS great commission work so that we are able to experience HIM deeper!

Jesus gave HIS disciple the last words before HE went back to heaven:

• “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Let’s pray that we believe we will receive power from God to do His work, not by our strength and experience only. Let’s pray that we can be HIS witnesses for HIS glory, not for our personal credits. Let’s pray that we will go and share the Gospel at the places or with the opportunities prepared by God, not driven by our own agenda only. May God bless ACEM brothers and sisters! Amen!

(Rev. Sunny Wong is the pastor of MJCCC, co-chair of MissionsConference.)