God Still Has a Plan for You

Every era loves its prodigies. We celebrate the teenage musician who tours the world, the college dropout startup billionaire, or the young influencer with a huge following. Early bloomers capture our imagination. We’re obsessed with quick and early success—especially in music, art, sports, science, and leadership.

To some extent, Scripture reflects this trend, where youth is not a disqualifier but sometimes the very vessel God chooses to use. Think of Samuel, who heard God’s voice as a child (1 Sam. 3); David, anointed while still tending sheep (1 Sam. 16); Josiah, who became king at age 8 (2 Kings 22:1); Joash, crowned at 7 (2 Kings 11:21); the unnamed servant girl who witnessed to Naaman (2 Kings 5:2, 3); Jeremiah, who protested, “I am too young” (Jer. 1:6, 7); Daniel and his friends, taken as teens into Babylon (Dan. 1); Mary, the young mother of Christ (Luke 1:26-38); Timothy, whom Paul exhorted not to let others look down on his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). Even Jesus amazed the teachers in the temple with His understanding at just 12 years of age (Luke 2:42-47).

But Moses? No, that’s not his story.

Never Too Late

Moses was not an overnight success. His journey challenges the idea of a quick rise. He spent 40 years as a prince in Egypt, then another 40 years as a shepherd in exile. At 80(!) his true calling begins—not in a palace, but in the wilderness, at the foot of a burning bush (Ex. 3). A fugitive turned shepherd is summoned by God, not to retire quietly, but to confront Pharaoh, deliver a nation, and shepherd God’s people through the desert. 

Remember the sandals (Ex. 3:5)? Moses stands barefoot on holy ground. No titles, prestige, or show, just awareness, reverence, and vulnerability. Moses’ call came when he was stripped of accolades, armor, and amusements, and grounded in the reality of God’s presence. That is worship: God revealed who He was (“I AM WHO I AM”), and Moses responded by communing with Him.

Moses’ call came when he was stripped of accolades, armor, and amusements and grounded in the reality of God’s presence.

Moses’ journey resonates with anyone who feels delayed, off track, or disqualified. Maybe your life has taken unexpected turns. Maybe the “ideal plan” has unraveled. But in Moses’ case, the wilderness wasn’t wasted—it was God’s workshop. It wasn’t failure; it was an integral part of formation.

God Doesn’t Call the Flawless

At the burning bush God engages Moses in a deeply human conversation. The questions are familiar:

• Who am I? (Ex. 3:11—self-doubt/self-awareness)

• Who are You? (Ex. 3:13—theology/psychology awareness of others)

• What if they don’t believe me? (Ex. 4:1—impostor syndrome)

• I’m not a good speaker. (Ex. 4:10—lingering trauma or genuine limitation)

Whether Moses had a speech impediment from infancy (perhaps the result of being silenced to avoid detection by Egyptian soldiers) or simply lacked confidence, the point remains: God doesn’t call the flawless. He calls the available. And then He empowers them.

God does not send Moses back to the sheep; He sends him to confront an empire. Our calling isn’t always clean. It’s often messy. Sometimes it means standing up to unjust systems. Sometimes it means facing the places and people you once fled from. Sometimes it means leading while still facing fears and carrying scars.

Moses’ life stands in stark contrast to today’s culture of instant impact. Character development takes time. The wilderness seasons—quiet, obscure, even painful—don’t have to be setbacks; they can be soul-searching and soul-deepening. Yet how often do we jump ahead, miss the chance to grow, then hit our heads on walls we could’ve avoided with patience and preparation? God’s presence in our lives matters more than our life sketch or professional résumé. He is the God not only of leaders but of those who feel delayed, doubtful, or deferred.

So if your life feels disrupted—perhaps by a literal fire that recently affected you, or by personal loss, transitions, or disappointment—consider that God still calls in miraculous ways today. God is both transcendent and immanent. The I AM is not just the Most High and Most Holy, but ever-present and very personal. He meets us not only in temples and triumphs but in ashes and angst.

Moses didn’t peak young. But he finished well. He led with humility. He prayed face-to-face with God (Ex. 33:11). He composed songs (Ex. 15; Ps. 90; Rev. 15), gave laws, formed nations, and mentored successors . . . and appears with Elijah at Jesus’ transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-3). What a testimony!

Take courage; if you feel late, overlooked, or unqualified, take off your shoes. You’re not forgotten. God still has a plan for you.