I felt the Great Commission’s tug on my heart about four years ago.

I sensed I was being called to disciple others.

And not to disciple just anybody.

But to disciple those in brokenness coming for change to a 12-step Christ-centered discipleship ministry at our church.

I felt like God, who had delivered me of a struggle through this program, could use that victory to lead others in the same direction.

God can be pretty specific about where he wants us to serve, and whom he wants us to serve.

He was definitely clear about where he wanted Moses and to whom He was leading him.

Sunday’s sermon, on May 25, 2025, entitled “Effective Requests,” details Moses’ awakening with the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-12.

The point of the sermon was to illustrate how God gives us tasks, requests, or assignments to do for Him.

These tasks may not be what I will do for the rest of my life, may not be a calling into traditional ministry, and may not be a key to a higher tier of Christianity.

These tasks may be simply to do something for someone that God wants us specifically to do.

The kind of tasks that God has for us have to do with an effective request. This request:

Requires my attention and requires me to listen
Points me to people and is always aimed at serving others
Requires my faith and is always clear enough to obey

God got Moses’ attention with a burning bush. Then He called out to Moses. Then He gave Him a task: to deliver the Israelites out of the hand of Pharaoh in Egypt. This call required Moses’ faith and obedience.

When I first came to this 12-step ministry, I had an idol that needed tearing down. I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I needed community. So I joined the pilot program of this ministry.

After God and I tore down the idol together, I thought something like, “Hey, I think I can help people the way God helped me.”

Change is possible. Through accountability. Through love. And through deliverance.

Through God’s Word, through His people, and by His Spirit we are changed and made new.

What would have happened if I had disregarded God’s burning bush in my life?

If I had disregarded a friend’s request to have me join the pilot program of this ministry five years ago?

I don’t know the answer to that question.

But one thing I do know: I would have missed out on a lot of blessings and miracles.

And for those blessings and miracles, I am grateful.

God has tasks for me to do.

I just hope I can do them faithfully.

—Ann Elizabeth Yeager