Before Moses left Midian, the Lord said to him, “Return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you have died.
Exodus 4:19
“Rachel, I can’t give you the next set of instructions until you follow the last.”
I remember about 4 years ago when God spoke these words to me clear as day. It was during a time when he lead me to address an extremely uncomfortable issue head-on. I didn’t want to face the person, I didn’t want to deal with the difficult conversation or potential outcome. In my opinion, I did just fine brushing it under the rug and minding my own business.
But no matter how much I tried to ignore it, I felt this nudging in my spirit that I needed to handle this.
Once I heard those words, I knew I was holding up God’s best for me because I didn’t want to face this thing. As much as I thought I was moving forward, in reality, I was being held back. My future physical, emotional, and spiritual freedom hung on the balance of my willingness to stop running and being held captive by my past. God is such a loving and wise Father. He would not release the next set of instructions, for the new season, until I addressed the thing that might attempt to steal the blessings to come.
I would later discover how that single difficult act of obedience set me up for amazing provision and favor. And how much like Moses, I was running from something that God had already taken care of.
Moses probably felt that entering Pharaoh’s territory and demanding him to let go of all his slaves was a death sentence. Plus did God remember he was a fugitive in the land of Egypt?
Yet, Moses didn’t come right out and say no. He tried to reason with God by asking him questions that were, at the core, excuses.
When I read the story of Moses, I am fascinated by how easily his list of excuses can be translated to some of my very own:
- Who am I to do this? (Exodus 3:11) i.e. I can’t do this God, why did you pick me?
- Who are you that they should listen to me about you? (Exodus 3:13) i.e. I am going to look like a fool in front of all these people.
- What if they don’t believe you sent me? (Exodus 4:1) i.e. These people aren’t Christians, they won’t understand or care.
- I’m not qualified. (Exodus 4:10) i.e. I have no clue how to do this and I can’t learn right now!
- I don’t want to do it. ( Exodus 4:13) i.e. I’m afraid, why are you asking me to do this?
Here is the truth, God knew Moses’ excuses and attempts to reason were only symptoms of a deeper fear that Moses had not mentioned, a fear of facing the people and the problem he had run from.
I can’t help but wonder why God didn’t tell him up front that the people who wanted to kill him were dead (Exodus 4:19). Maybe it was to get Moses to the same point He wants us. The point where we are willing to move in our mission, even when we are not motivated, because mission is not about motivation, it is about movement.
Moses had to face his fear and fulfill his mission.
But what happens next is the most beautiful part and reveals the true nature of God when we move despite motivation. I can’t wait to share it in part 3 of this series but in the meantime, let’s get free together! Tell me in the blog comments what excuse(s) have held you back from the mission God has given you?
Some of the excuses that have held me back from the mission God has given me is fear and doubt. Fear of the unknown, not knowing how and even where to start when it comes to pursuing the mission set out before me.
I have always been hesitant to speak out in a crowd, I would rather stay in the background and help rather than be up front. But I know that’s where God was calling me and for years I would come close then I would run. The enemy would bring up something from my past, like he did Moses reminding him of the Egyptian he killed.
I am still unsure what my mission is and have been sent to a place that is unknown and unfamiliar. I am sure God has placed me here to help shift my focus on him, but it’s very lonely and long in waiting.
I am still unsure what my mission is and have been sent to a place that is unknown and unfamiliar. I am sure God has placed me here to help shift my focus on him, but it’s very lonely and long in waiting.
I definitely have to go back and read part one. I’m a new comment or here but I would read emails from you from time to time. An excuse that has held me back is, “How can I be sure this what you want me to do God?” And, “what if it doesn’t work out, what if I fail?” I’m waiting on miraculous supernatural signs to give me the go-ahead to produce some things that I feel I’m being lead to.
I definitely have made excuses before and still do. My capabilities are what I often mention to God when it comes to excuses. Lord, I am not capable. I simply cannot do this. Fear of the unknown also holds me back from moving by faith 🙁
I have given a lott of excuses. I’m still unsure if my excuses are excuses or just the reality or denying.. I struggle with discerning them. But here they are: “I don’t think that’s what You would really want me to do, right?”
“I don’t have the potential to do that.. I’m sure that’s not the one You have planned for me and it’s okay.”
“I can never make that happen, it’s just one of my silly dreams Lord..”
“What if they dislike me? What if I mess up?? I’m really bad with being around people..”
I’m actually still young, so maybe I’ll figure it out one day as I grow. I know God has a purpose for me and what my passion (music, dance^^”) is probably takes some sort of part in that, right? I just need to keep seeking God and trusting in Him. I’m just curious about what His plan is for me but I believe and trust that He indeed has one! Sorry for my long comment
I’m confused what it is God wants me to do. I believe being afraid is stopping me from what God has for me. In fear of the mistakes in my past and how people would look at me differently if they knew about them.