Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Choosing Forgiveness: Lessons from Exodus & Mark

Observations

Today, I want to share two observations from my readings.

First, from the book of Exodus, when you receive God’s calling—just as Moses did—to deliver the message to the people of Israel and help free them from Egypt, we often feel unprepared. We make up various excuses to justify why we aren’t capable, how we don’t know how we’ll do this or that, etc. Imposter syndrome begins to take over. But that is exactly the opportunity to place our faith in God. We might feel like we don’t know how to do X, Y, and Z, but that is precisely why God called us to do His will—because He has a plan to help us on this journey. We aren’t supposed to do it alone, as we are used to doing things, but rather with His help. Moses had a very hard time accepting this. He came up with several arguments: I don’t communicate well, the people won’t listen to me, who am I to convince Pharaoh to let the people worship in the desert, etc. God had to show him that he would succeed not because he was an expert or by his own strength, but because God would equip and help him do it.
Second, from the Book of Mark, chapter 15, when Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate to be sentenced, we clearly see the flaws of human justice. Out of envy and because they believed Jesus blasphemed by acting as the Son of God, the Pharisees and Sadducees influenced the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas and condemn Jesus Christ to crucifixion. A man who never sinned and did no harm to anyone was condemned to the most painful and humiliating death of that era, which was reserved only for the worst criminals. This clearly demonstrates that true justice does not exist in this world (we will only find it in the New Kingdom). They even mocked and taunted Him. Yet, Jesus still forgave them in His heart and provided salvation for all of us (including those who harmed Him). This is an excellent example that no matter what people do to us here on earth, we must always forgive them—as hard as it may be. Jesus was the only perfect man, and He forgave all of us who betrayed Him for no reason. Therefore, as Christians, His is the example we must always follow, not anyone else’s. That said, forgiving is the hardest thing to do, especially when we have every justification not to.