EXCUSES

Moses fled Egypt after murdering an Egyptian. He married a Midianite priest’s daughter and lived a simple life for decades tending his father-in-law’s sheep. One day God appeared to him out of a burning bush to appoint him as rescuer of his enslaved countrymen. God informed Moses that He was sending him to Pharoah to win the release of the Israelites from Egypt. What an assignment! One would think that Moses, raised in a royal family and gifted with a great education, would have leaped at the opportunity to be a hero! Alas, he had other ideas. Whenever, the first word uttered is “But,” grab an umbrella because it’s about to rain excuses!

Exodus 3:11—But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Excuse #1: I’m the wrong person. {God, don’t forget I’m wanted on a felony in Egypt!) This job is too tough for me. I’m not worthy. Truly, my own countrymen are against me.

Exo. 3:13—Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

Excuse #2: I don’t know You well enough to represent You. What if they don’t really know You either? We could have a credibility problem on our hands.

Exo. 4:1—Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

Excuse #3: I’m afraid to fail. You’re sending me to a hostile crowd. I don’t want to be rejected. These people have problems and issues You don’t understand.

Exo. 4:10,13—Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue . . . O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”

Excuse #4: I’m inadequate. I have low self-esteem. I don’t trust You because I know my own failings. I’m not capable of doing what You ask..

Fortunately, Moses ultimately obeyed God and returned to Egypt. The Lord created Moses for a special purpose. In this man were the qualities He wanted to accomplish His will. He fortified him with strength, coached him, revealed to him His glory and worked through him to lead a rebellious nation forty tough years. Moses, the insecure shepherd, became one of Israel’s greatest leaders.

God wants to accomplish His purposes through you as well. Relax! He won’t ask you to lead Israel out of Egypt. However, He will ask you to do more than you think you can or should do. It is true that He loves you and uniquely made you to contribute to the expansion of His kingdom. He will give you all you need to succeed! You won’t experience the joy of really knowing Him and the pleasure of fulfilling His will if you choose to hide behind excuses. Nip it in the “but” and listen to the Lord. Don’t focus on yourself, others, or your circumstances. Trust in the One Who is able!

Inspiration

Most of us are much sterner with others than we are in regard to ourselves; we make excuses for things in ourselves whilst we condemn in others things to which we are not naturally inclined.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest