I read of some actual notes that parents had written to schools so that their children could be excused of their absence:
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“Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot.”
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“Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33.”
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“John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face.”
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“Please excuse Ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels.”
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“Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.”
Excuses, excuses! We’ve all made them. And we often do that in our walk and obedience with the Lord. When God met Moses at the burning bush instructing him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, Moses did what we often do: he made excuses. The excuses Moses made are the same excuses we tend to make today. The question is: how do we eliminate the excuses in our life? We eliminate excuses by understanding and responding to God’s Word. Let me mention 5 excuses that Moses made (which are the same common excuses we make), and God’s promise to Him. Once we understand God’s promise to us, we should begin to eliminate excuses and be obedient to God.
EXCUSE #1: “I am unworthy to be used by God.”
God said to Moses, “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:10-11)
God’s Promise: “I will be with you.”
God said, “But I will be with you…” (3:12).
When God gives you an assignment, remember you don’t go in your own power and strength; you go in and with His power!
EXCUSE #2: “What if I don’t know the right answers?”
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” (3:13)
God’s Promise: “I will inform you.”
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’(3:14)
When God gives you an assignment, remember that your “what if’s” will be answered in time.
EXCUSE #3: “What if others don’t respond and doubt me?”
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.’” (4:1)
God’s Promise: “I will empower you.”
God turned the staff into a snake, and vice versa. Why?… “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” (4:5)
When God gives you an assignment, remember that God does not call the equipped; He equips the called.
EXCUSE #4: “I’m not talented/gifted enough.”
But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent…but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” (4:10)
God’s Promise: “I will help you.”
Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (4:11-12)
When God gives you an assignment, remember that God uses our weaknesses, and gives us the grace and abilities we need to carry out His tasks and purposes.
EXCUSE #5: “Someone else could do better!”
But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” (4:13)
God’s Promise: “I will use you!”
God said: You shall speak to him (Aaron) 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. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth…” (4:15)
When God gives you an assignment, remember that it is an honor and a privilege to be used by God.
If God has instructed you to do something, quit making excuses. Trust God and be obedient. Remember you have two choices: You can either make excuses to God…or you can have experiences with God.