It’s not too bright to offer God excuses about what He’s calling you to do.
But then again, I’m not always the brightest bulb in the box…
and I’m pretty good at coming up with excuses.
While in High School, I first planned to do something with my music. (Have I mentioned I play piano?) But then I felt led into full-time ministry. I started planning in that direction. Yet the idea of being a teacher kept nagging at me. Both my parents were educators. My Dad’s mother rode her horse to teach in her one-room school house. True story! I still have a wooden box of her chalk! But I wasn’t excited to be around children EVERY SINGLE DAY. And I’d rather teach them about Jesus than reading or math.
So teaching was in my blood, but I had other plans. And when my dad told me they wouldn’t pay for seminary, I was forced to get a job. Teaching. No more excuses.
Excuses in the face of miracles
Today we’re with Moses. He’s a central figure in the Old Testament. In fact, Moses’ story occupies approximately one-seventh of the entire Bible. That’s about the same as two-thirds of the entire New Testament. And his calling was unique.
This 80 year old shepherd who grew up in Pharaoh’s house after a spectacular river rescue (read Exodus 2) wandered upon a burning bush that the fire wasn’t destroying. That’s miracle #1! The voice of God came from within the flames, so Moses was witness to God there. That’s miracle #2! And even in the face of God’s very presence, when God told Moses he was to lead Israel from slavery into the Promised Land, Moses had 5 excuses.
The excuses:
- ”I’m unfit for the job.” (Ex. 3:11) Isn’t that just like the rest of us? God asks us to do something big, and we KNOW that we (on our own) would never be able to pull it off. BUT, we aren’t alone. It’s God’s plan, so He intends to help us. God’s response? His presence.
- ”I don’t have a message.” (Ex. 3:13) Again so often we miss out because we don’t know how to proceed or what to say. BUT, God will give us the details as we need them. God’s response? God’s name and covenant.
- ”I don’t have the authority to do this.” (Ex. 4:1) Woah. That’s a pretty bold statement when God is literally commissioning him to do this task. BUT, of course, God is the ultimate authority. God’s response? His power.
- ”I don’t know what to say to people.” (Ex. 4:10) Humans are slow to catch on, aren’t we? We have a hard time believing God is big enough to deal with all our short-comings. We tend to put God in a tiny box that limits our faith in what He can actually do. BUT, God created us, so He can put the words in our mouth when we need them. God’s response? His enabling.
- ”I don’t wanna go. Send someone else.” (Ex. 4:13) After 4 other excuses, Moses ends with this, a finally-honest response. So I ask you. Have you ever had this conversation with God? You know He’s leading you out of your comfort zone, and you offer a series of excuses? God’s response to Moses? Anger and His instruction.
What this means for me:
1. Moses ran from Egypt after he murdered an Egyptian. Yet God still used him in a very powerful way. It’s comforting to know He won’t hold my sins against me. Thank You, Jesus for making that possible!
2. God sees more in me than I recognize in myself. My vision is limited, but God can see what He intends for me to become with His help. The work may be scary. It’s called a comfort zone for a reason. But I can rely on Him to be with me every step of the way.
3. God uses the unexpected to catch our attention. For me, it was miraculous healing from my health issues last year. Not exactly a burning bush, but it had to same effect. I have no more excuses. I’m determined to move forward in the path God sets before me.
Thanks for stopping by today. Have you ever offered any excuses to God? Drop a line below or on social media and let me know.
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