Moses’ life story reads like an award-winning action movie. He was sent down the Nile River in a basket by his mother as an infant to avoid death, adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter, murdered someone, and then fled and lived a life in hiding. The man had no shortage of wild life stories to tell at parties. 

One of the most iconic moments in Moses’ life, however, is when the Lord met him at the burning bush. (Exodus 3) God tells Moses that He will send him to be the one to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. 

“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:10-11

If we continue reading, Moses proceeds to make excuses for why he isn’t qualified to complete the task God was giving him. He tells God that the Egyptians won’t listen to him. He tells God that he isn’t a great public speaker. Then he becomes fully transparent with the God who knows everything, he says, “Please send someone else.” 

Imagine coming so close to God that you have to remove your shoes because His holiness is too great. Imagine God speaking audibly to you and asking you to do something big for His kingdom. Then picture yourself making excuses and, in the end, asking God to send someone else altogether. That may seem baffling to us who haven’t seen God physically or heard His audible voice. But how often do we do this?

How often do we feel God calling us to do something, say something, or engage in something, and we make excuses? “Well, God, I’m not great at this thing,” or “But what if this or that happens?” How often do we say, “someone else can do it,” or “someone else is more skilled than I am for this task”?

God may not be meeting us in a burning bush today, but He is asking us to do something. Maybe He’s prompting you to share the gospel with your neighbor. Perhaps He’s asking you to volunteer more at church. Maybe He’s asking you to step into full-time ministry. Or perhaps He’s asking you to forgive that person who sinned against you.

Thankfully, God doesn’t call the qualified; He does qualify and equip the called. What is He calling you to today? What should you be saying ‘yes’ to that you’ve been making excuses about? 

Ultimately, Moses obeyed, and God used him in mighty ways to lead the Israelites out of slavery and into the Promised Land. He used a broken vessel like Moses to show the Egyptians His great power. In the end, God received all glory. 

May we always be eager in our lives to say ‘yes’ to God’s calling so that others can see His glory and grace. 

Prayer prompt:

Dear Lord, thank you for your great glory and all-knowing nature. Forgive me when I fail you and make excuses for what you’ve asked me to do. Help me be bold in obedience and trust that your ways are higher than my ways. Reveal to me any areas in my life where I’m making excuses and not saying ‘yes’ to your leading. Amen.