Barriers to Callingনমুনা

Calling and Excuses

It doesn’t matter what you have done or where you are now; what matters is that God is calling you. He is calling you in all your ordinariness, your boredom, your sin, your brokenness. You may feel unnoticed, but God’s calling means he has noticed you and sees more in you than you dare to believe.

If, like me, you are prone to doubt, you are in good company. Doubting we have what it takes almost seems like a qualifying attribute. We need God to outwork our calling. It is, after all, a partnership. However, that doesn’t stop the tried and tested excuses being used time and again. Gideon protested, "I am the youngest" (Judges 6:15), Moses lamented, "I am slow of speech and slow of tongue" (Exodus 4.10), and Jeremiah borrowed both excuses as he remonstrated, "I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!"  (Jeremiah 1:6). Sarah laughed off the call because of her old age (Genesis 18:12). 

We could add any number of other excuses: I can’t afford it; it’s too hard; I don’t know where to start; I am scared of failing; my parents won’t approve; I haven’t got what it takes. We convince ourselves that these are reasonable, rational, thought through and valid; however, when it is God who is doing the calling, our best excuse isn’t good enough. Don’t believe the lies and don’t be tempted to make excuses. God knows you. He knows your desires and doubts; he sees your weakness and potential. He calls you right where you are, as you are, and promises to guide and shape you. He takes your ordinary life and transforms it with divine calling.

Questions

When was the last time you made an excuse? Are there any excuses that you are making that are limiting God’s calling? Why do you think you are making them?

Prayer

Lord God, help me to be like Jeremiah and to trust Your calling even if I don’t feel I have what it takes. Amen