"Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile." (Exodus 2:1-3)
All through world history, we see great leaders who changed the course of history in various fields. We know of military leaders who wrought great conquests to keep peace, preachers who brought reformation, statesmen who founded great nations and business leaders who spawned great enterprises. We have hundreds and thousands of biographies and autobiographies of these individuals. There are also those we often don't read of. Fathers who led their families well. Mothers who gave the world these great leaders who are leaders in themselves.
Susanna Wesley comes to mind when I think of such unsung heroes of leadership. She was the wife of a poor and very difficult 18th century clergyman in a small parish. She had no formal education, had 19 kids, educated her kids, and through her personal influence, she gave the world two great sons in the persons of Charles Wesley and John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church and one of the greatest spiritual leaders the world has ever known. It can be said that the Methodist movement began in the lap of Susanna Wesley.
In our text today, we see two of such heroes, the parents of Moses. It is safe to say that without their sensitivity to God and their daring faith, Moses would have gone the way of the other children- killed in infancy. Though faith, they did not only birth the deliverer of a people, they preserved and nurtured him. In addition, this couple produced two other leaders of Israel, Aaron and Miriam, Moses' brother and sister. What a power couple.
The writer of Hebrews points to their faith, listing them in the same company as Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Joseph:
"By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict." (Hebrews 11:23 NIV).
Moses, the deliverer, didn't just appear on the scene. He was the offspring of people of daring and fearless faith. People who chose to believe God's prophecy to Abraham about a coming deliverance. Preceded by centuries of slavery and oppression, they saw their child and perceived that God had a plan for him. They knew he wasn't ordinary and they dared all to preserve him.
The lessons here are many but we will look at one. It is important for you to properly see what God has put in your hand. Could it be that that little ministry you are entrusted with is not ordinary? Yes it looks like other babies but could it be the beginning of a great movement of God? Could it be that that child you have is not just any other child? Could that new relationship possess the seed that will deliver a people? Could that dream you have be the change a nation has been crying for? Don't judge that opportunity ordinary. Ask God to open your eyes to see its potential. Then no matter what it takes. Dare to nurture and preserve it. Hide it if you have to. Put it on a river where Pharaoh's daughter would swim if you have to but keep a watchful eyes on it. What you have been given is not ordinary. Dare to preserve and nurture it. That's what heroes of faith do.
Decision of the Day
Just as Moses' parents perceived that the little child they had was not ordinary. Lord I ask for correct perception of the little things in my life: the opportunities, gifts, talents, children, ministry etc. Help me to preserve and nurture them until they are sting enough to accomplish your purpose.
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