Excuses are Lame

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Exodus 4 is the ultimate imposter syndrome chapter. Moses has every excuse in the book: ‘They won’t believe me,’ ‘I’m not eloquent,’ ‘Send someone else.’ It’s raw, it’s relatable, and it’s deeply human. We often think God chooses the best of us, but this text shows He chooses the willing (and sometimes the reluctant). The awesomeness here is that God isn’t interested in your abilities; He’s interested in His own authority over your life.

Theologically, this is about the God of the gap. Where Moses’ speech failed, God’s power stands-in. This points us forward to the New Testament reality that ‘God's power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9). The grand narrative of scripture is a story of God using ‘jars of clay’ to hold His glory. Moses’ staff was a common tool of a shepherd that became the instrument of divine signs. God takes what is in your hand, no matter how ordinary or inadequate it feels, and makes it a tool for miracles.

Psalm 27 echoes this perfectly: ‘The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?’ When Moses was terrified of Pharaoh and his own stutter, he needed to remember that the eloquence of God was with him. The pastoral challenge for us is to stop using our limitations as a shield against God’s call. Your stutter isn’t a deal breaker for God; it’s actually the platform where His strength will be most visible.

Modern faith isn’t about being all put together and polished. It’s about showing up with your shaking hands and your imperfect words, trusting that the One who made the mouth will also fill it. Stop waiting for the confidence to feel ready. Faith is taking the first step back toward Egypt while you’re still trembling. God doesn’t need your perfection; He wants your ‘okay, Lord, I will go, as long as you're with me.’

Devotional Prompts:

What is the staff currently in your hand that God might want to use for His purposes?
What are the top three excuses you give God when you feel a nudge to step out in faith?
How does knowing that God’s power is made perfect in weakness change your perspective on your own flaws?

Prayer: God of the Reluctant, thank You for using our weakness to showcase Your strength. Take our stuttering mouthes and our shaking hands and turn them into instruments of Your peace. Be our Light and our Salvation when we are tempted to hide. Amen.