Eliminating ExcusesSample

In Exodus chapter 3, God tells Moses that he has seen the oppression his people were suffering in Egypt. Moses responds again and again with excuses. With that attitude, he was going to be left out of God's plan for his life. But God insists. In fact, on several occasions, God ignores his excuses and says, "Don't worry, I am with you. You will do it because I am with you”.

We must understand that at the time God appeared to Moses, he was nothing more than a shepherd tending his father-in-law's flock. Moses recognises his reality, and this leads him to ask God: "And who am I? Who am I that you should use me?”

Have you ever asked God these kinds of questions? "Who am I that you would love me?", "Who am I that you would include me in your plan and purpose?" or "Who am I for you to involve me?"

Moses, because of his insecurities, questions his identity and his ability. He also questions his ability to match the size of his calling. We are often like Moses. We take the same stance because of our insecurities, because we feel incapable, or because we feel we don't have the ability. When God asks us to do something and calls us to get involved, all we offer God is often nothing more than our excuses. We end up limiting ourselves in what God wants to do in our lives.

Moses had reason to flee from God because of the excuses he had to offer. And it wasn't just Moses, but throughout the Bible we find people who had excuses for not doing what God was calling them to do. See the list below:

• Noah drank too much alcohol.
• Abraham was too old.
• Jacob was a liar.
• Leah, who was ugly, was the second choice.
• Joseph was a slave.
• Gideon was fearful.
• Samson was a womaniser.
• Rahab was a prostitute.
• Jeremiah was very young.
• Naomi was a widow.
• David committed adultery and murdered someone.
• Elijah wanted to take his own life.
• Job lost everything.
• Jonah ran away from God.
• John the Baptist preached naked and ate insects.
• Peter denied Jesus.
• The Samaritan woman was married five times.
• Zacchaeus was short in stature.
• Paul was very religious.
• Timothy had an ulcer.
• Lazarus was dead.

As people of faith in these times, we have to decide, on a daily basis, to eliminate excuses. We need to eliminate excuses and begin to offer God our open hands to use us. God affirms us, as He said to Moses, "I will be with you". He wants to use what we have in our hands. He assures us that we already have what we need to be used.

What is your excuse? Decide to remove it and exchange it for open hands for God to use what you have in them and do what only He can do. Remember: He uses the people you least expect.

Prayer: Father, thank you for choosing me every day. Thank you for continuing to seek me despite my excuses. Thank you for not giving up on me and for continuing to show me that what I have in my hand is enough and useful. Today and all my days I offer you what I have in my hands. Use me. In Jesus’ name, amen.