Bible, Leadership

WHY EXCUSES ARE NEVER THE ANSWER

When God Calls Us to Action.

Photo Credit: Arya Ziai via photopin

Many times as leaders, we feel an inexplicable call to action toward a certain task.

God can issue this call through His Word, prayer, another Believer, music, art or literature. Sometimes, the call simply comes through a sudden moving of the Holy Spirit within our hearts.

Once we recognise that there is something that God desires of us, how should we respond?

Unfortunately, too many times we are reluctant. We have an inner-discussion with God on whether or not the task is really His calling.

We wish that God would provide an even stronger sign; like speaking to us audibly or perhaps, sending an angel to give us the message. Yet, we know from Scripture that might not work either.

Judges 6

In Judges 6, a soon to be leader, named Gideon received one such call.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’” (6.12)

God was calling Gideon to action, but like many of us, Gideon had excuses.

’Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’” (6:15)

The Reality

The reality is, that even if “the angel of the Lord” paid us a visit, most of us would take Gideon’s approach. We’d likely give an array of excuses why we shouldn’t have been chosen to perform such a task or duty.

As leaders, we should automatically answer the call to action.

This morning, take some time to read through Gideon’s story in Judges 6 and 7. Think about how unlikely of a candidate he was to be a leader, yet God called him to action.

Then, prayerfully consider the action items that God has been calling you to, but that you have been avoiding. As you pray, take some notes on the next steps toward answer your call to action.

 

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

Has God ever called you act or speak when you didn’t really want to? If so, how did it turn out?

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