Scene 1

God appeared to Moses. The bush was burning but the bush was not burnt. He asked him to drop his rod and it turned to a serpent. He told him to put his hand in his bosom and it became leprous. Powerful, mind-blowing stunts from God. Moses didn’t need any more convictions to know it was God that he had met with. And the errand was simple and clear, ‘Go to Pharaoh and bring My people out.’

But Moses was still under some authority. And God did not give instructions on how to handle that even though He was aware. And if He had handled it, that much He didn’t say.

Moses got back home to Jethro and said, ‘Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt and see whether they are still alive.’

No you didn’t see it. He got back to Jethro and said, ‘Please let me go….’ Like his going was dependent on his approval, like Jethro had a stake in his leaving, like if Jethro said No, he wouldn’t move an inch.

‘Please let me go.’

Moses didn’t go to Jethro with some air of importance or significance, ‘Ermm, you know, God just spoke with me!’ Or ‘Hello Jethro, I just had a conversation with God Almighty.’ He didn’t start with ‘Jethro, you won’t believe what happened to me today…you have no idea what I saw and who I spoke with today!’ Or ‘Do you know I saw a burning bush and the bush didn’t burn?’

Moses had an encounter that could make headlines for months and he didn’t even say one word of it to Jethro. He didn’t even share the experience of the burning bush. He didn’t tell him about the rod. He didn’t brag about how God had chosen him for this important assignment. Moses didn’t. He was even cagey about the purpose of his journey, ‘Please let me go…and see whether they are still alive.’ Come on Moses! Brag a little, just a little!

Scene 2

God told Elijah, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See I have commanded a widow there to provide for you. So he arose and went to Zarephath and when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, ‘Please bring me a little water in a cup that I may drink.’

‘Please bring me a little water.’

I thought He said He had commanded her to provide for him. Shouldn’t the widow have recognized or sensed something at the appearance of Elijah? And why wasn’t Elijah’s intro like, ‘God told me He has commanded you…’ Why didn’t he approach her directly with God’s directive? Instead he said ‘Please bring me a little water…’ Like he was afraid to even ask. Like he wasn’t sure he heard God right. Like he didn’t know if she had his food with her.

Then the woman thought, if it was just water, it wasn’t a big deal, so she turned to get it. And Elijah stretched it. ‘Please bring me a morsel of bread…’

Slow down dude, ermm, don’t blow your chances here, I don’t have any bread anywhere. And that’s just how you people behave. Run in on poor widows and make ridiculous demands. When one gives you an inch, you pounce and want to take a mile. Water is fine, and just because I oblige you on water is no reason for you to remind me of how poor and broke I am. No need to rub it in, stay on your lane, mister. I have no bread. In fact, I’m gathering these sticks to go and prepare our last meal and then wait for death. Does that satisfy you now?

I thought God said He had commanded her! Amazing the caliber of people God goes to ask stuff from. And to think He didn’t even inform her ahead of time and He said he had commanded her. But, Elijah was gentle with her and he addressed her fear. Elijah wasn’t rough with her, he was tender. He didn’t go, ‘Do you know who I am?’ and announce to her he was a prophet. He was warm. He was calm. Come on, Elijah! Brag a little! Just a little.

Scene 3

God sent Gabriel to Mary. She was thoroughly shaken, a bit scared and wondered what was it that could initiate such a visit. I believe God singled out Mary. I believe God chose Mary. Amongst many maidens and virgins at that time, Mary was the one God picked. I believe He had prepared her for this assignment over the years, all through her life. I do not think it was happenstance that God sent Gabriel to Mary. God knew before time.

I also believe God was sure Mary would or could handle it. I mean, it wasn’t going to be fun or easy. Shame and humiliation would come with it (how else would you explain how you got pregnant and claim you didn’t have sex.) Any other girl could have buckled and refused such idea. I believe God knew Mary was not any other girl. God knew all these. He knew she was prepared. He knew she would not refuse. He knew she would not say No. Yet He didn’t just go ahead and let it happen on her! God deemed it fit and sent Gabriel to give her the message. He sent Gabriel to tell Mary what He, God, was about to do!

Even though I am God, Mary had to be told first.

He didn’t lord it over her. He didn’t take advantage of her submission and loyalty. He didn’t take her naivety for granted. He sent an angel, Gabriel, to explain to Mary what He was about to do. I mean, He didn’t have to. Come on, He was/is God!

Moses was courteous. Elijah was courteous. God was courteous. Who you be?

God’s servants are courteous. They use the word ‘Please’ even though they are aware they are on God’s assignment. They don’t flaunt it. They don’t throw it in your face. They don’t lord it over you. They don’t parade themselves singing, ‘God said, God said…’ They are courteous men and women. They are polite in His errands. They are well-mannered in His tasks.

Moses said, ‘Please let me go…’

Elijah said, ‘Please bring me little water…’

And God sent Gabriel.

Next time your ego asks for a free ride, maybe because you are pastor or leader, bishop or pope, father or mother, boss or superior, slow down and remember courtesy is classy (and spiritual) and it never grows old.

You may try some in your relationship too.

Even though you know she will not refuse, still say Please and ask permission. Do it today. Do it always.

Even though you know he will not say No, still say Please and ask for consent. Do it today. Do it always.

Even though we know you are smarter, still notify and seek agreement. Do it today. Do it always.

Even though we know you have the resources, still report and have buy-in. Do it today. Do it always.

Custodians of God’s assignments are courteous. Partners in healthy relationships are well-mannered.

References: Exodus 4:18, I Kings 17:8, Mt 2:1-23