“We get so caught up in our excuses that we miss the entire point of God’s call. He wants to accomplish something great through us by doing something great in us.”- Charles Swindoll
The Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”- Exodus 4:11-12 (NLT)
Charles Swindoll concludes Chapter 1 of What If . . . God Has Other Plans? as he presents the final three common excuses for resisting God’s call.
2. I don’t have all their respect. Here, Moses responded with several classic ‘what if’ statements. Worry words, Pastor Swindoll calls them. Consequently, fear clouds our perspective. In addition, we ruminate on the worst case scenario.
And, what worried Moses so much? Moses worried about himself and how the Israelites perceived him. Pastor Swindoll adds:
“That’s a self-image problem. Fear keeps the focus on ourselves rather than on the Lord. It emphasizes our inadequacies and minimizes God’s power.”
3. I don’t have all the ability. Pastor Swindoll views this as a classic resistance tactic. Moses complains that when he speaks he gets tongue-tied and his words get tangled (Exodus 4:10). However, God tells Moses that He made him that way. Thus, God’s reason dismantles the foundation of Moses’ fear. That leaves him without excuse.
4. I’m not as qualified as others. Finally, when Moses pleads with God to find someone else, God gets angry. Therefore, Pastor Swindoll counsels:
“When you know for sure that the Lord is speaking and you don’t take Him at His word, you’re crossing a line. That’s not humility, that’s disobedience. In fact, it borders on defiance. The only appropriate response to God’s call is obedience.”
Today’s question: What most helps you heed God’s call rather than get caught up in excuses? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the Christmas Short Meditation, “Good news of a great joy – need to change doors?”
