God Wants YOU...Not Your Excuses!

The next time you think you have an excuse why God can't use you remember: Noah was drunk, Abraham was too old; Isaac was a day dreamer; Jacob was a liar; Leah was ugly; Joseph was abused; Moses, David and Paul were murderers, Gideon was afraid; Samson had long hair; Jeremiah and Timothy were too young; Elijah was suicidal; Isaiah preached naked; Jonah ran away; Naomi was a widow; Job lost everything; John the Baptist ate locusts; Peter was hot tempered; John was self-righteous; the disciples fell asleep; Martha was a worrier; the boy with the loaves and fish was unknown; Zacchaeus was too short; Peter was too impulsive; Timothy had a stomach ulcer … There is no excuse. God can use anyone in His time, and in His way!  -White Ribbon Signal

We're pretty good at making excuses, aren't we? In the Christian world, we can find all sorts of excuses not to obey God's voice. It's been said, "Excuses are tools of the incompetent, and those who specialize in them seldom go far." Ben Franklin wrote, "He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else." Gabriel Meurier stated, "He who excuses himself, accuses himself."

Here's a question for you: What if God came to you and said...“Listen I have an awesome mission for you to accomplish. It will be part of my plan to redeem the world to myself. It will involve miracles, signs, and wonders. It will involve the splitting of the Red Sea, and the leading of a couple of million people out of bondage to freedom—all of whom you will lead." How would you respond?

Would you jump at the chance, or would you come up with a few excuses as to why you weren't necessarily God’s best choice? I'd like to use Moses as an example. In Exodus, Chapter 3, the intimate relationship between God and Moses begins as God confronts Moses with a mission.

So, how did Moses accept the mission? Did he do it with bold faith and valiant courage? No! This intimate relationship began with excuses. He didn't waste any time, when chosen by God to lead His people. Moses basically said, “Look, I’m not your guy.” It began with excuses that needed to be replaced with actions.

Let me clarify, before moving forward, that not all excuses are bad. They can be valid and reasonable if our intentions and motives are pure; and if they’re genuinely based upon what we believe to be the truth in that given circumstance.

Nevertheless, we seriously need to examine ourselves and determine the motive and content of our excuses. Why? Because we could be losing out on God’s desired plan for our lives, and that always leads to, at the very least, frustration on our end as we move out of God’s desired will for us.

If our desire is to go deep and wide in our relationship with God, we need to lose the excuses and grab hold of the faith He asks us to take. Also, we can’t get around the fact that relational intimacy grows deeper as the parties involved go through difficulties together, as they endure pain together, share tears together, and overcome together.

We can’t run from God in the bad, or trying times and hide behind excuses. Excuses can be incredible roadblocks that inhibit our relational depth with God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. God says, “Go this way…" and we say, “No, I don’t think so.” Then again, “Go this way…," and we say, “No, I don’t think so." Then he says, “fine have it your way.”

None of us want it that way, because we want to be walking where He wants us to walk. And, that’s where the blessings are, that’s where the joy is, that’s where most importantly His presence is. So what do we need to do? We need to replace the excuses with steps of faith. That’s how we open the window to the future that God desires for us; a future filled with fulfilled promises and not fallen dreams.

So, what is the unshakable Good News for us today? That same all-powerful God that has control over all people and their senses has assured us that His power can work in our lives when we’re doing His will and surrendering to His spirit (Ephesians 3:20).

In closing today's message, remember this: There’s nothing that can separate you from the intimate love and presence of God; which leads to the peace, persistence and purpose to fulfill God’s desired destiny for your life. Apply this today by not only considering what your excuses are, but also by deciding to toss them away as you follow God.

Scripture: Genesis 3:12-13; Exodus 4:10; Jeremiah 1:6; Matthew 7:21; Isaiah 43:10; Deuteronomy 6:5; John 9:41

Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask for wisdom and guidance as I face a day that is full of unknown trials and challenges. I know you are with me and with you all things are possible. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Bonnie