We’ve kicked off a new message series at Grace City Church called “Saints Like Us,” and the first message is all about Moses. If you’re familiar with his name from the Bible, you might picture a confident leader or someone who had everything figured out. But that’s not the full picture. Moses didn’t start out bold or strong. He was unsure, afraid, and full of doubts. That’s what makes his story so relatable.
As we listened to Pastor Andrew Gard’s message, we couldn’t help but think about how often we feel the same way. Not ready. Not qualified. Maybe even a little lost. That’s why this series matters. It reminds us that people we read about in the Bible weren’t perfect. They struggled, messed up, and still got used by God. And if that’s true for them, it can be true for us too. Listening to the story of Moses through the message at Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida, helps us see that clearly.
Who Was Moses, Really?
Moses was born during a time when his people, the Israelites, were being mistreated in Egypt. He was saved as a baby, raised in Pharaoh’s household, and later ran away after making a big mistake. That’s a rough start. He didn’t seem like someone who would become a great leader.
But God doesn’t pick people based on appearances. When it mattered most, God called Moses to help free the Israelites. Moses didn’t step into that role with confidence. He had a lot of questions and more than a few fears. Still, God chose him. And that’s the part we can all sit with for a while. Even with all his weaknesses, even with all his doubts, Moses was still the one God wanted.
We sometimes think we need to have everything in place before we can do something meaningful. But Moses shows us that being ready isn’t the same as being perfect.
When You Don’t Feel Good Enough
When God asked Moses to go back to Egypt and speak to Pharaoh, Moses didn’t say yes right away. In fact, he gave a list of reasons why it couldn’t be him. He was worried people wouldn’t believe him. He wasn’t a strong speaker. He asked God to send someone else.
That kind of honesty hits close to home. We’ve all had moments when we felt like we weren’t the right one for the job. Maybe we thought we didn’t know enough, or weren’t talented enough, or were just too afraid to try. It’s easy to think our flaws disqualify us.
But God didn’t ask Moses to be perfect. He just asked him to say yes. Little by little, Moses began to follow. That’s often how faith begins, not with loud confidence but with quiet courage. Most of us feel unsure when we face something bigger than we can handle. That’s why this story sticks with us.
Listening for God’s Voice
One of the most powerful parts of Moses’ story is when God speaks to him through the burning bush. Moses was alone, tending sheep, when suddenly everything changed. The moment was dramatic, but the message was simple: go, and I will be with you.
Today, most of us don’t expect to find burning bushes in our backyard. But that doesn’t mean God isn’t speaking. We might hear something during quiet time, feel nudged during a conversation, or have a thought we can’t shake. The way God speaks is different now, but He’s still talking to us.
Part of our job is to pay attention to those small moments. It could be an unexpected sense of peace or a friend saying exactly what we needed to hear. Those times can be easy to miss, especially when life is noisy. But we try to remind ourselves that God doesn’t need a burning bush to get our attention.
God Works Through Ordinary People
Moses was someone who kept thinking he didn’t measure up. He questioned a lot and wrestled with his own flaws. But that didn’t stop God from using him. That’s actually the whole point: God works through all kinds of people, even the ones who feel like they’re struggling just to get by.
It’s easy to believe we have to be strong before we can be helpful. But sometimes, all it takes is one small step forward to start something meaningful. We’ve seen that happen again and again, where someone takes on a challenge they didn’t think they could handle, and it turns into something bigger than they imagined.
Trust doesn’t always grow fast. Sometimes it builds over time, when we say a quiet yes and keep moving, even when we’re not sure where it will take us. That was true for Moses, and it’s possible for us too.
Learning from Saints Like Us
What made Moses someone worth remembering wasn’t that he always had the right answers. It was that, over time, he learned to trust and obey, even when it was hard. His courage didn’t show up all at once, it grew step by step.
We’re learning through this series that faith doesn’t always look like bold confidence. Sometimes it’s slow, a little messy, and full of questions. And that’s okay. These stories remind us that God isn’t looking for perfect people. He’s just asking us to listen, trust, and move when He invites us forward.
This lesson gets repeated throughout Moses’ life. Even after some big victories, he faced more questions and hard choices. He led people through the wilderness, dealt with frustrations, and often went back to God asking for help or direction. Through it all, God stayed with him, showing patience and providing what was needed for the next step. That same pattern can show up in our lives, sometimes when we least expect it.
Having doubts or struggles doesn’t keep us from growing. In fact, facing those times honestly can often deepen our trust. Moses shows us that setbacks, mistakes, and even fears are not the end of the story. When we trust, even a little, God can work through that in ways we might never have imagined. Faith can be a quiet, steady movement forward, shaped by God’s care for us each day.
Stepping Forward: Living Moses’ Lessons Today
Hearing Pastor Andrew Gard speak on Moses made this message feel real. It brought the story close to home and helped us see that we’re already a part of something bigger than our struggles. We don’t have to figure it all out. We just have to stay open and keep stepping forward, one choice at a time.
At Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida, we’re committed to helping people grow in faith and community, no matter their starting point. We offer Sunday worship experiences at 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM, and 12:30 PM, making it easier to stay connected with others on their spiritual journey. If you have children, our Grace City Kids ministry creates a fun, safe environment where kids can discover faith in an age-appropriate setting.
Taking steps toward faith can feel uncertain, but even when you don’t feel ready, a small yes can make a real difference. We believe everyone deserves a safe place to ask questions and walk with others who are figuring it out, too. Moses’ story reminds us that trusting God starts with just one step. If you want to talk or need more info, reach out to us at Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida.
