What's Your Excuse?

What’s Your Excuse?

Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt. But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:10-11 NLT)

Forty years have passed since Moses killed an Egyptian and fled from the sentence of death placed on him by Pharaoh. His pride and status have been shattered. His occupation is watching over a flock of sheep on the backside of the desert. Suddenly, he sees as amazing sight. A bush is burning, but it is not burning up. No smoke, no ashes, just flame. As he goes over to get a closer look, a mighty voice speaks to him from the midst of the flaming bush.

   The voice says, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” God goes on to tell Moses that he’s seen the suffering of his people Israel. Then he says, “I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:8,10) Did you note that this was not a “request” by God, but a “command?”

   How did Moses respond? Was he willing to take on the task? How do we respond when we are asked by someone in a leadership position to do something for God? Do we like Moses give excuses? Do we say, “Get someone else?” Maybe we’re not quite that blunt. We just say, “I’ll have to pray about it!” (That usually is translated: I don’t want to do it). Or we say, “I don’t feel capable, or I don’t have the time. Or I’m too busy.” These are all similar excuses to what Moses said to the Lord.

   What is an excuse? According to the dictionary, an excuse is “an effort to get released from an obligation.” Why do we give excuses? For me it was always the fear of failure. Once I decided to trust God, the fear would dissipate and God would provide the tools and means to get the job done.

   Don’t be like Moses and say, “Lord, please! Send someone else.” (ex. 4:13) Trust in the Lord and he will supply the need.

Prayer: Dear Lord, don’t allow fear to keep me from serving you.