Moses was a devoted servant of God. Just think of the great miracles that he performed!
Shortly before, the people of Israel had committed the terrible sin with the golden calf. On one day God had killed three thousand of them, to consecrate the people anew for Him. Now they had to go on.
They knew their destination: the Promised Land. This was no Neverland, but a reality, a land where their fathers had lived, the land of the Philistines. The road to get there was no problem, at least if they were free to choose it themselves…
But Moses had learned that God’s way with His children is often very different from the way they would choose themselves. Often it is a hard way to go, but it is one in which they are taught a lot. Therefore Moses said, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.’ Reaching the Promised Land was not the only and final purpose. The road leading to it and inhabiting the land had a much higher meaning than to live happily, freed from Egyptian slavery.
In the same way God does not call us out of this world to live a happy life in a dream world. No, being chosen is no end in itself, but the beginning of a commission that is never easy, but very worthwhile! Anyone who - out of self-centeredness - questions himself whether he is chosen, will receive no answer from God. For being chosen is not for ourselves, but extends far beyond: It is the beginning of a commission to live for the world around us, devoted to God. Therefore Moses asked God - and so do we - to go with us throughout our lives on our way to the Promised Land and in all eternity.