“Who am I that I should go … ?” (Exodus 3:11)

I can think of so many examples through the years when I just sat back and waited on someone else to do something that I knew I needed to do myself. I can always come up with an excuse about why I can't do something. 

Excuses. I may get away with some things—like making my bed every morning. What does it matter if my husband Dan does that? It's his bed, too! And our unmade bed obviously bothers him more than it does me anyway.

But what about the things that God calls me to do? What excuses can justify my disobedience? Here are just a few of the lame excuses that I have told myself in the past: That’s not my "gift." I’m not trained to do that. What do I have to say? I'm not a "good" speaker (writer, teacher, cook ... whatever).

As I searched God's Word out of conviction to try to find some answers to my problem of delayed obedience, I found that I was in good company with my questions. Just look at Moses, who God chose to lead His people out of bondage. 

Question. When God called Moses to lead, he responded, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11).

Moses knew that this assignment was way out of his area of expertise and experience. In fact, it seemed to be an impossible task to him. Moses knew he couldn't do this awesome task in his own strength or with his limited wisdom. But this awareness of his own limitations proved to be one of Moses' greatest leadership qualities—it forced him to become totally dependent upon God for everything.
 
Promise. God promised Moses, "I will be with you …" (3:12). 

Do you think that God was shocked by Moses’ question? I don't.  In fact, God responded to Moses with the assurance of His presence, not His judgment.

I don't think my questions surprise God either. And I can be confident that He will be with me, and He will provide all that I need to do what He calls me to do. "…  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in (me) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

Have you ever delayed obeying God because of your lack of confidence in your own abilities?

Photo/TaraRoss