Excuses and the Call of God
Excuses. We all make excuses for many different things in our lives, even when it comes to following God’s call on our life. Jeremiah’s excuse is recorded in Jeremiah 1:6. “‘Alas, Sovereign Lord’, I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am too young.’”
What is your excuse for not doing what God has called you to do? “I’m too old. I’m not attractive. I’m too scared. I don’t have enough money. I’m not smart enough. I have a handicap. I’m too busy. I’m not educated. I’ve got issues. I’m not strong enough. I’m not qualified. No one in my family has ever done that before. I’ve made too many mistakes. Bad things have happened to me. I’m just not good enough, God.” Take your pick, but God’s answer is always the same when we try to argue with Him; just fill in the blank. “But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am too ____________.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord” (Jer. 1:7-8).
Jeremiah was somewhere between the ages of twelve and twenty when he received this call from God on his life (Jer. 1:5). God knew all about Jeremiah because He formed him in the womb. He knew Jeremiah was scared. He knows the truth about us too. We will never tell God anything He doesn’t already know. He doesn’t call perfect people because there are none, but He does enable those He calls. God simply wants us to obey and trust Him with the results.
What is God calling you to do? Perhaps He has not yet shown you a clear picture of His plan for your life, but you know in your heart of hearts He has something for you to do. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mat. 7:7). This is God’s promise to you, so be persistent and never stop. While you’re waiting for His direction, remain faithful in what He has given you to do today. Continue to pray, read your Bible, serve, obey, and learn His ways. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9). That’s another promise!
The first thing God told Jeremiah to do was call the people to repentance, not an easy task, but he did it confident that God was with him every minute. Without excuse and a very low approval rating from his fellow humans, Jeremiah moved forward with God’s will for his life. “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (2 Tim. 1:9). We will succeed in God’s call because of who He is, not because of who we are. God says to us today, “No more excuses. Do what I’ve called you to do, for I am with you.” And that’s all we need to know.