Moses was nervous. Ever since he got the message that the big guy wanted to see him, he was nervous. He was used to getting evaluations from his boss, Reuel, but since the man was his father-in-law, it wasn’t exactly a grilling. Did you tend the sheep? Did you keep the flock together? Did you protect it against threats? Yes, yes, and yes. Splendid…keep up the good work.

This was different, however, Very few people ever got called into the head office. Everyone knew of the big boss, knew that he was there, watching, but very few people ever got called into that office. Worse, those who did get called in either seemed to get yelled at, like Adam and Eve, or get these huge assignment, like Noah. Both of those things were before Moses’ time, but you know how stories travel around the office.

He rode the elevator up and approached the office, about to knock. He then remembered company tradition…he had to take off his shoes before entering. He slipped off his sandals (they were very business casual at the office), but before he could knock on the door, a voice said, “Come in, Moses”, and the door opened.

He was pretty much what had been described in company rumor: white robes, beard, though hair shorter and closer cropped than in the descriptions. The office was spacious, but not ostentatious, with pictures of some of the notable events in the company’s history scattered on the walls. The big boss waved Moses in and offered him a chair. He picked up a dossier on Moses and began reviewing some pertinent facts. “Yes”, the big boss said, “good to see my plans for you have turned out so well.” Moses was a bit confused at that statement, but simply kept silent. He was not known for his talking, but for his doing, considering himself slow of speech.

Putting the dossier down, the big boss addressed Moses. “Moses, you have done well here, but I have an assignment for you to do.” Moses sat impassively, but in his mind, he thought, “Oh, boy, here it comes”. He then became more worried because it was said that the big boss could even read minds. As the big boss continued telling him the assignment, Moses became more and more uncomfortable. How would he ever do this? How would he free a bunch of slaves from such a powerful person? Him! He’s just a shepherd, and only got that job by marriage. He knew he had to say something.

The big boss sat patiently and listened to Moses, his eyes filled with compassion and wisdom. For every problem Moses brought up, the big boss gave an answer. The boss would be with him in this task. He would never be alone. Moses continued to protest that he was not the person for this job. Finally, the big boss put an end to the conversation with a smile, saying to Moses, “My son, consider it your stretch goal for this year”.

Okay, so God probably didn’t call it a ‘stretch goal’ for Moses. Still, that is what it was. God, being the ultimate manager, saw a potential in Moses that he saw in nobody else in the whole of creation. God gave Moses the mission, the tools, and the faith that he alone would be able to do great things, if only he applied himself to it. Moses did not disappoint, though he did seem to get rewarded for his efforts by hearing more whining than anyone should.

We usually encounter stretch goals at our workplaces. They are built into our performance plans, aligned with the company’s goals, and designed to move things forward. If you think about it, though, isn’t that what Lent is all about? Isn’t it a time when we should look at our performance over the past year and how we can do better for the next? We are asked to reflect, but isn’t reflection also about figuring out how to go forward in our lives? If we do it right, if we let God into the conversation, we should hear what his stretch goals for us would be for this year.

How can we make ourselves a better person, make this a better world, or improve life for others? Yes, that may mean doing something that will take you away from your comfort zone, put one other thing on that to do list, or require you venturing into new territory. How can we stretch ourselves and our lives and do something that will bring yourself and the at least some of the other six and a half billion other employees into a better future?

Don’t think you can do it? Think it might be too frightening or painful? Nervous about the consequences? Maybe this story will help.

The young lady was happy at home. She had her family, a good life, and a comfort that she had not known until recently. Without much warning, her father packed her and her brothers into the car and drove them to this strange place. Upon leaving the car, she was immediately frightened. She did not know this place. It wasn’t her home, her surroundings, or the things which she took comfort in. There were people there she didn’t know. Frightened to the point of quivering, she stayed near her father for protection, for guidance.

Her father, though it frightened him to do so, didn’t protect her, but invited the strange people over to meet her. She was shocked! How could he do this! Didn’t he love her? Why was he doing this to her!

She could go nowhere, and the people were approaching. Slowly, they reached her and showed her kindness, one after another. This wasn’t bad, she thought to herself. Slowly she allowed others to show her kindness, and they did, complimenting her, calming her. Her fear wasn’t gone, but it had abated. She didn’t know it, but that was her stretch goal, one that her father had planned for her, and one that her heavenly father had seen her through. It scared the wits out of her, but it turned out to be not so bad at all. The little girl in that story was Valentina, the latest of the greyhound bunch, and those who were there when she had her picture taken with her brothers and dad for the church directory can attest that she not only survived, she thrived.

We are heading toward the end of Lent, but it does not have to mean the end of our stretch goals. Make one for yourself during the season and practice it for the rest of the year. Do something that moves you forward not just in these 40 days, but for the rest of your days. And next year, when you are called to the big boss’ office, you won’t have to fear what your performance review will look like. 

Amen,
Michael Gow