I’m one of those people that have to be very careful not to do it all.  When leading a team I often take more responsibility then I should, I go further then asked, and I carry a larger burn for our success.  I know – I shouldn’t.  I recognize the gifts in the team and know God has placed them there for what they can do that I can’t.  I’m learning!  But every leader knows the “buck” stops with them.  And sometimes it feels like you have no answers.

I get really stressed when I feel like everything depends on me.  I was reminded again how familiar Moses feels.  In Numbers 11.10-15 the people of Israel are in the desert and have been eating manna from heaven till their sick of it.  So they go and whine – Moses gets frustrated and God gets angry.  Listen to what Moses says and tell me if you ever feel like this occasionally (The Message):

Moses said to God, “Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Did I conceive them? Was I their mother? So why dump the responsibility of this people on me? Why tell me to carry them around like a nursing mother, carry them all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people who are whining to me, ‘Give us meat; we want meat.’ I can’t do this by myself-it’s too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I’ve seen enough; I’ve had enough. Let me out of here.”

That is probably the funniest appeal to God I’ve read all year – and so familiar.  I love it for two reasons.  First, Moses sounds like he fully expects God to do what He said He would do.  Actually, Moses really does believe God.  He makes it clear here that God called him to lead these people and he expects God to provide – or take Moses out of the equation (this wasn’t apart of the contract).  Second, Moses is completely honest and open about his feelings.  His posture is that of “give them meat or give me death.”  I promise I’ve prayed this same prayer once or twice – lets be honest I’ll pray like this again.

I love it.