Excuses are a part of our daily life. Some are better at making
excuses, whilst others find it difficult to make some as they want
to please everybody. But at some or other point in time we all made
an excuse, especially if it was something we didn't want to do.
Whether we told the truth with the excuse is another story, but
let's leave that for now. We are all used to making, as well as
receiving excuses from people. So even when the Lord, our Heavenly
Father, asks us to do something, our natural inclination is to make
an excuse, especially if it is something that requires an effort
from our side. We are mostly in a comfort zone and it requires a
real effort to get out of it. Most of us find it much easier to
wallow in our comfort zone and complain about it and make a quick
excuse whenever the Lord wants us to stand up and get out of the
zone we are in. I am sure you have noticed it at work, at home, at
school, wherever you are, people enjoy complaining and very few
stand up and actually do anything about it.
Moses also made excuses when the Lord called him. He was a
shepherd in the wilderness, caring for the sheep of his
father-in-law and had no prospects of a better life. We already had
a look at Moses' life in the previous devotions and I think it is
safe to assume that Moses must have made peace with his life, but I
cannot imagine that he was blissfully happy. And then one day the
King of the Universe appeared to him and announced that He had a
wonderful mission for him to embark on. He had a better life for
Moses planned. A life of greatness. There was a way out of his
situation. And what was Moses' reaction? Excuses. Not one, but four
to be exact.
In the first place Moses used the excuse that I think will be
the first one for all of us. I think most of us would easily be
able to identify with it. In essence Moses' excuse was 'Who am I?
Why would anyone listen to me? I am not one of the religious
leaders or one of the leaders amongst the Israelites. I am a
nobody. Why on earth did You choose me? I am sure there
must be someone better for the task.'
Wow, isn't it just amazing? Thousands of years later we do
exactly the same thing. We immediately act as Moses did and look at
ourselves in the flesh and see what the world sees, a nobody. We
rarely, if ever, look at ourselves as the Lord sees us, a somebody
who can make a difference. The Lord will never give you a task if
He doesn't think that you are up to it. The big step begins within
ourselves. We need to identify and see ourselves with God's eyes.
It is very difficult for us all, but the rewards are priceless.
Look at how well Moses did his job in the end. He is beyond doubt
one of the greatest men that ever lived. But what would have
happened if he remained looking at himself through his own eyes and
not with the eyes of the Lord? He would have stayed in his comfort
zone and he would have died there in the wilderness, never
experiencing the joy of fulfilling God's purpose for his life.
But first let's go back to his excuses again. Can you remember
what the Lord's response was when Moses gave his first excuse?
Exodus 3:12: 'Then God told him, "I will be with you. And this
will serve as proof that I have sent you: When you have brought the
Israelites out of Egypt, you will return here to worship God at
this very mountain."
Isn't it reassuring? The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
will be with you! He will be with you every step of the way,
helping you in every regard. You simply need to take the first
step. He will direct your paths from thereon. You only need to
trust in Him. It is as simple as that.
Lord Jesus, please help us to trust in You. Please help us not
to look at ourselves, but to look up to You, because we know You
will always be there. Amen