Obedience or Excuses?

Obedience or Excuses?

Be obedient
What kind of excuses have you given to God? How do you rationalize  your refusal to obey? This week I learned there is something Kurt Bubna, Moses and I have in common when it comes to choosing either the route of obedience or excuses. How about you?

Kurt Bubna writes in his new book Epic Grace, Chronicles of Recovering Idiot that he did not want to become a pastor because he was terrified of public speaking, had no desire to teach and could absolutely not picture himself as a pastor. He was looking at his abilities and not at God’s capabilities. Kurt’s story reminded me of Moses.

Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.” God said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, God? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.” ( Exodus 4:10-12, MSG)

We all know that Moses surrendered everything to God and went to do what God asked him to do. And the rest is history. How about Kurt? Here he is some 30 years later, a gifted speaker and pastor. How did God change his mind? Here’s the short version (but you need to read his book to get the whole story): God spoke to him through other people and the Word of God until he was ready to surrender his vocation to God. But God gave him a choice. Just like he gives it to the rest of us.

What is your excuse to not to do what God is asking you to do? Mine was not a fear of public speaking or stuttering but it is related to communication anyhow. You see, English is not my mother tongue. For a long time I told no to God. I felt unqualified. But God is persistent. And here I am blogging in English. And only God knows what’s next for me.

Following God’s leading often means that we need step outside of our comfort zones and do something by faith only. It is an adventure for sure. But I’ve learned along the way that God really does what’s best for us. Even when it does not look like it. Kurt writes “A huge part of entrusting our lives to God is believing that his grace is sufficient and will bring about his best for us. We can sing about grace until the cows come home, but to truly live it, we must rest in it and believe that God’s plan is always for our good”.

We truly need to live in grace, not just dab in it.  Faith is about trusting God in a participating way. It involves not only our heart and mind but also our feet, hands,and voice. Our past, present, and future. Our work and our free time. Pretty much every breath we take. With the words of Kurt “Epic grace is not just a theological concept; it is a practical reality we are to live in day in and day out. All the time. Everywhere.”

 

Gracious God,
Make us bold in the Holy Spirit.
Enable us to trust you completely
and step out of our comfort zones.
Help us to recognize your promptings.
Empower us for your service.
Flow through us like never before!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What kind of excuses have you given to God? Have you stepped out of your comfort zones? What happened?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you follow God wherever he leads you!

Photo courtesy of Tom Bell. Linking up today with Wisdom Wednesday, Unite the Bloggersphereand #tellhisstory.

This post is part of #EpicGraceWednesdays. I am blogging through Kurt Bubna’s Epic Grace. Join me every Wednesday!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review (or any review for that matter). The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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