What’s Your Excuse?
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. (1 Corinthians 1:26–27)
A lot of times we will come up with excuses as to why God cannot use us. Maybe it is a fear of public speaking. Getting up in front of a crowd and addressing an audience is a big fear for a lot of people. I understand that. I had that fear for years. In all honesty, I don’t think I would be a public speaker if I were not a Christian and called to ministry. I don’t think I would want to stand up in front of people and talk. That is a very real fear for a lot of people.
Others might think, God could never use me, because I am not a professional. But that is probably an asset, not a liability. If you can be an authentic Christian who knows your Bible and who is able to articulate the gospel message, you would be amazed at what God could do through you . . . if you would be willing to take a step of faith.
Think of some of the people we read of in the Bible whom God used. They were utterly unqualified by human standards. Moses was a murderer. Jacob was a liar. Rahab was a prostitute. David had an affair. Elijah was suicidal at one point. Jonah ran from God. Jeremiah was considered too young. John the Baptist ate bugs. The Samaritan woman was divorced more than once. The disciples fell asleep when they were supposed to be praying. Peter denied Christ. Timothy had an ulcer. So what is your excuse?
Understand, I am not excusing any of this behavior. My point is that God can use flawed people, and that includes us. So whatever the excuse or fears you may have, God can still use you.
Summary sentence: God uses flawed people—you qualify!
Tags: Excuse, fears
Copyright © 2012 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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“I had no idea that in the crowd that night was a soldier, a Navy Seal who was dealing with an emptiness in his heart and the knowledge that something was wrong on the inside. And it is amazing to see how God’s Word resonates; the Lord got a hold of this soldier that very evening and turned his life around.” --Greg Laurie
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