Read Numbers 16:1-50

I can almost hear Moses talking to Korah and his rebel friends:

“You think I put myself in this role?!”

“You think I chose this job?!“

“Why in the world would I choose to lead you ungrateful, pride-filled people who constantly complain against me and whine?“

Korah and the Levites had been set apart from the rest of the people. Separated for God’s work to keep charge of the tabernacle. An awesome job, indeed. But Korah wanted more. He seems to have liked the idea of being in charge. So, he got some other Levites and leaders from around the camp and planned a coup.

They figured the job God had given them wasn’t enough.

If we are completely honest, most of us would admit having felt that way too.

You’re a mom who stays home with her small children, serving God by changing diapers, wiping noses, playing Go Fish thirty times a day. But there’s another mom serving in a more prominent way. Maybe she leads a Bible study or writes bestselling books and goes on worldwide speaking tours.

You are recently retired, called to mentor young men in a Grace Group. But you’ve seen other retirees who are “changing the world” in one fell swoop.

You work an hourly job where you spread the love of Jesus Christ with your words, your prayers, your friendship and your work ethic. But your neighbor is the president of a company and he has a much bigger platform from which to spread that love.

It’s easy to forget that we were called by God, not ourselves. We lose sight of the truth that God alone is who we serve. Not ourselves. He is the one who calls each of us according to His purpose and for His glory alone.

If Moses had appointed himself the leader, if Aaron had made himself the priest of Israel, then Korah’s plan would have totally worked. He and his band of rebels could have grabbed the big role of leading all those people and run with it.

But God was the one doling out the roles — from head honcho to manna-collector. 

It was up to them to serve faithfully, to walk humbly with God, in whatever role He’d given them. It’s up to us to serve Him faithfully still, walking humbly with Him, in whatever role He’s given us.

Bria Wasson