Excuses, Excuses

“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’ God answered, ‘I will be with you.’” – Exodus 3:11-12.  

People have been making excuses since the beginning of time. Moses was no exception. Moses was one of the top excuse makers of all time. 

Moses is tending sheep and minding his own business, when he comes across a bush that is burning. What made this bush so remarkable was that it was on fire, but it was not burning up. This intrigued Moses and Moses moved forward. Then God called to Moses from within the bush. God shares with Moses His plan; how Moses was going to lead his people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.

Have you ever felt like God was calling you to do something difficult? Something that seems over your head.  Maybe God is calling you to be a small group leader in the church, but you fear talking in front of people and you worry about the depth of your bible knowledge. God may be calling you on a mission trip but you’re nervous about going. What could I possibly contribute on this trip and how am I going to pay for it. God may be calling you to take a promotion at work but you feel like it’s out of your league. 

God is speaking to Moses through the burning bush. God has a plan for Moses. Here is the big problem for Moses. Moses really did not want any part of God’s plan. I can only image when Moses hears what God has for him, it brings back painful memories. Egypt was a place Moses had left on the run. He was running away from Pharaoh. I believe Moses wanted to forget that part of his life, so he starts making excuses.  His first excuse is: who am I? I am a nobody; I am a has-been. I am old and wrinkly; I am past my prime. I am just a shepherd over sheep; I am not a leader of people. God’s response: I personally will be with you – God is giving Moses assurance. Yes Moses, you are the right guy for the assignment. I know you fled from Egypt. But I am calling you. I am calling you, Moses. I want you, Moses. Are you up for the challenge Moses? I know you have insecurities. I know you have a past. I know you are past your prime. I know all these things about you. God is saying, I still believe in you, Moses!

Before we judge Moses, we each need to look inward and ask ourselves how many excuses we have given God the last few days, weeks, months, or years. Are we making some of the same choices that Moses made? Are we making excuses so we don’t have to do what we know God wants us to do? Are you making excuses for why we will not trust Him?

Here’s the bottom line: If we want to be greatly used of God, you must be willing to follow wherever He leads us. And that means that we need to stop hiding behind the excuses, stop resisting and start following.  

Discussion Questions:

1. Which times in your life do you find yourself making excuses?
2. Have you ever sensed God calling you to a task and found an excuse not to respond?
3. Pray and ask God to help you put away any excuses and trust Him.