What do Moses, Isaac Newton, Clara Barton and Winston Churchill have in common? A speech impediment. Their “disability” became “opportunity” to overcome life’s obstacles and make a difference for good. How did they do it?
God called Moses, a man with a speech defect, to be His spokesman before Pharaoh, a world leader. Does this make sense to you? It didn’t to Moses and he let God know it, “Please Lord, I have never been eloquent ... I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Ex. 4:10). In other words, “I’m not capable.”
Moses’ speech impediment affected his self-esteem. When God called Moses and explained the mission, “... bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt,” Moses immediately responded, “Who am I.” In other words, “I’m not influential.”
Moses’ handicap became his default excuse each time he was challenged. Twice more in the story Moses referred to his “disability” when God sent him to Pharaoh with a new message (Ex. 6:12, 30). In other words, “I’m not qualified.”
In the narrative, Moses’ alone focused on his speech impediment. No one else mentioned it - not arrogant Pharaoh nor the whining Israelites. Granted, Moses had Aaron but he still had to speak. The truth is, Moses focused on his weakness rather than God’s strength.
Moses’ speech impediment was not an issue with God - his obedience to God’s call was. God said to Moses, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say” (Ex. 4:11-12).
The LORD made it clear, when He calls a leader to action, He will make a way for it to happen. The question is not about handicaps or qualifications but obedience and trust in God.
Moses became a champion of faith. He led the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt, he authored the first five books of the Bible, he was at the transfiguration and is mentioned as a hero in Hebrews 11. Moses did all of this with a speech impediment.
Correction, God did all of this through Moses, a willing but broken vessel. Here is a powerful principle. When God calls us to serve - He will make a way for it to happen. We must focus by faith on God’s strength not our weaknesses.
Throughout history, many people with numerous “physical disabilities” have accomplish amazing feats to better the world for their fellow human beings. Sir Isaac Newton, a famous physicist, had a speech impediment yet helped lead the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century. Clara Barton, the heroine who helped many wounded soldiers during the Civil War and founded the American Red Cross in 1881, had a speech impediment. Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, led his country against Adolf Hitler’s Germany. His speeches were memorable, once declaring, “We shall never surrender!” Churchill inspired his nation and the allies - even with a speech impediment.
What has God called you to do? What is holding you back? A weakness or impediment? Remember, God called stuttering Moses to be his mouthpiece before a king. What you see as your weakness or handicap to serve, may be your qualification and endorsement by God.
