Several times in the past few months, I would be journaling or studying God’s word and think to myself that maybe I should write a blog or even possibly a devotional book. I knew this was a nudge from God so I went on the internet and began reading articles on how to write a blog and how to begin writing a book. Life would then get busy, and I would find myself looking at all the excuses as to why I shouldn’t…. “I’m too busy”… “what if I am not good at writing?”… “What if no one likes what I have to say?”… “What if I fail?”… “ I don’t really know how or where to even start.”… I could go on and on. There were plenty of excuses, but then, God spoke louder last week when I was asked to start writing for the church blog. It was like God was saying here you go this is where you start, and I knew at that point I couldn’t continue saying no. Deep down I knew he would give me the words to write, and it was time to take a step out of my comfort zone.
This made me start thinking about how many times we say no to God or feel that nudge and immediately begin listing all the excuses for why not. In the Old Testament, we see examples of people who said no or began telling God all the reasons why they couldn’t or shouldn’t do what he was asking of them. Jonah was called by God to go to Ninevah and call out against them for their evil. He immediately took off in the other direction. It took being thrown overboard and being swallowed by a fish for Jonah to listen and do what God was calling him to do. However, God was patient with him and once Jonah chose to obey, God had the fish spit Jonah back out onto dry land.
In the book of Exodus, God called Moses to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt, and at once, he starts looking for all the reasons why he should not be the one to do this.
“Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” Exodus 4:1
“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh my Lord, I am not eloquent,
either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”
Exodus 4:10
God provides an answer and solution to each one of Moses’ concerns and even tells him to bring Aaron with him as he can speak well. “But he said, ‘Oh my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “ Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.” Exodus 4:13-15
As we see through the stories of Jonah and Moses, God is not going to call us to do something without providing us with the tools necessary to do the job. He provides for our every need and is with us every step of the way. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us to be courageous and reminds us that God will never leave us. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to confidently draw near to God so that we can receive His grace when we need it most.
So the next time you feel that nudge and know that God is calling you to do something, no matter how big or small, don’t run the other direction or start listing the reasons why you think you can’t. Instead, look to God for the strength to leave the excuses behind and do what He is calling you to do.
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