What have been your doubts?

 When God Calls: Confronting Excuses, Fear, and Doubt in Fulfilling Our Divine Purpose

In our journey with God, we often desire to experience His blessings and purposes for our lives. Yet, when the call to fulfill His plans confronts us, it’s common to respond with excuses, fear, and doubt. Just as Moses hesitated to embrace God’s purpose for him, we too can become bogged down by insecurities and pessimism that prevent us from living out our potential in God. The story of Moses’ call in Exodus 4 provides a striking reminder of both the human tendency to resist God’s call and the need to trust in His ability to work through us.

1. The Power of Excuses: Are We Sabotaging God’s Plans?

God’s purposes for us are often greater than we imagine, calling us to growth and transformation. However, many of us respond to these purposes with excuses, viewing our limitations as obstacles to God’s work. We see this struggle in Moses' initial response to God’s call. When the Lord spoke to Moses through the burning bush and revealed His plan to free the Israelites, Moses’ insecurities surfaced. In Exodus 4:1, he expresses doubt: “But what if they do not believe me or listen to me?” Moses’ focus was on his limitations, failing to trust that God’s power could operate through him.

Like Moses, we may feel incapable or fear failure, allowing our insecurities to overshadow the potential God sees in us. This form of self-sabotage can prevent us from experiencing God’s greatness in our lives. Yet, God reminds us that He doesn’t require our perfection, only our willingness to trust Him. When we set aside our excuses and surrender to His call, we open ourselves to the work He intends to accomplish in and through us.

2. Fear as a Barrier to Living Out God’s Purpose

Fear often becomes a significant barrier when responding to God’s call. It can paralyze us, stopping us from taking steps of faith. The Bible offers examples of individuals who allowed fear to influence their reactions to God’s call, particularly the disciples. In Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus calls His disciples to cross to the other side of the lake, and a storm ensues. The disciples become terrified, even though Jesus is with them. Later, when Jesus walks on water, Peter steps out in faith but begins to sink when fear overtakes him.

Peter’s experience is an important reminder that fear can weaken our faith and pull us away from God’s purposes. However, Jesus does not abandon Peter to drown. Instead, He extends His hand and says, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” God’s grace is always present to guide us through our fears. Just as Jesus called Peter to keep his focus on Him, God calls us to focus on His presence rather than on the waves and storms around us. Fear will come, but it is through faith in Him that we walk in His purposes.

3. Questioning God’s Timing and Becoming Discouraged

A common reaction to seeing God work in others’ lives is to wonder when it will be our turn. It’s easy to question God’s timing, especially when we face challenges or feel stagnant in our journey. We might even begin to think, “Maybe I’m not meant for this,” and ask God to send someone else in our place. This is a dangerous mindset because it not only limits our view of God but can also cause us to miss the very blessings we seek.

This attitude is illustrated in Moses’ continued reluctance. In Exodus 4:10-13, Moses again responds with doubt, claiming he isn’t eloquent enough. By verse 13, Moses says, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” At this point, God’s patience begins to wear thin, as seen in Exodus 4:14: “Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses.” Moses’ reluctance to accept his calling was a source of disappointment to God, who had already assured Moses of His presence and power. By allowing pessimism and doubt to dominate, Moses risked forfeiting his role in God’s plan.

God desires for each of us to be part of His purposes. While He can indeed raise up others to fulfill His plans, He invites us to step into our unique calling and rely on His strength. This means not questioning “why not me?” when we see others blessed, but rather asking, “How can I open my heart to receive God’s timing and purpose for my life?”

4. God’s Promise to Strengthen Us: Moving Beyond Doubt

God is aware of our weaknesses, yet He chooses to work through them. He desires to reveal His strength in our lives, especially in our vulnerable places. As He reminds Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God wanted Moses to rely not on his ability but on the assurance that He would be with him. When God calls us, He promises to equip and support us, regardless of our perceived inadequacies.

This is a call to release our doubts and trust in God’s timing. God’s purposes are not dependent on our strengths alone; they rely on our faith and willingness to take a step forward, even when we feel inadequate.

Conclusion: Choosing Faith Over Excuses

Ultimately, we have a choice: to let excuses and fear rule our lives or to place our faith in God’s power. Moses’ journey reminds us that God can use us despite our limitations. The question we must confront is whether we will step into the calling He has for us, believing that His grace is sufficient.

Our stories can become a testimony of God’s power if we choose faith over excuses. The transformation we desire often begins when we let go of doubt, trust in God’s promises, and allow Him to work through our weaknesses. Today, God asks us, “Do you believe I can change your story?” The answer lies not in our strength, but in our willingness to trust that He is faithful to fulfill His promises.