"Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land." (Deut. 34:10-12, NRSV)

These words are the poignant climax to the Old Testament story of Moses—the greatest of all the leaders of ancient Israel. Words of high praise, they sum up the life of a man of great strength and character through whom God did extraordinary things.

But forty years earlier Moses' story begins in a remarkably different way. He is a man full of fear and self-doubt. In the wilderness of Midian, Moses experiences a vision of a burning bush and hears the call of God to set his people free. In a long conversation with God, Moses objects to God's call in a series of protests (Ex. 3:11-4:17). Moses says:

• Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?
• If people ask me who it is that sent me, what shall I say?
• Suppose the people don't believe me, what do I do then?
• Lord, I have never been eloquent; I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.

God responds to each of Moses' protests by assuring him of the divine presence and power needed to accomplish the work. Finally, when Moses' defenses have been stripped away, he pleads with God, "Lord, please send someone else."

But God persists. With fear and trepidation Moses goes to Egypt, confronts Pharaoh, and liberates the Hebrew people. Then Moses leads Israel for forty years as a man of great character and integrity, moral strength and fortitude.

How did Moses go from self-doubt to a "prophet unequaled"? God's compelling call and powerful presence transformed him from a man of fear to a leader of great strength. God enabled Moses to lead effectively and to endure years of trials and discouragement.

One New Testament writer says Moses "endured as seeing him who is invisible" (Heb. 11:27), meaning that Moses persevered in his calling because of his faith in the invisible God. Moses was motivated by his faith in God's power at work in his life. Even though he could not see God, he was confident of God's presence and faithfulness in the difficult times. In other words, "He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going" (Heb. 11:27, MSG).

Moses' life leads us to reflect on our daily work, professional relationships, leadership challenges, family relationships. It's important to ask: To what does God call me in my life? When I feel inadequate or discouraged in my calling, how can I find strength to carry on?

The life of Moses offers a powerful encouragement. The God who calls us is the God who empowers us. God's power led Moses to live out his call with firm conviction and strength. Biblical faith offers us the same assurance. When challenges of daily work and relationships overwhelm us, God will help us to live out our calling with character and integrity. And when we do, we make a difference in the lives of people around us.