495: Excuse Machine

How are you at making excuses? If you are like most of us, including me, you are an expert!  We can spin why we don't move forward on our ideas and purpose in some creative and imaginative ways, which leads me to think of the series I have done from time to time on Moses. The title of the series is "Moses Produces the Best Excuses."  It is intriguing to me that this great man of God, who is held up as the model of obedience and productivity, was an excuse-maker just like you and me. Let's take a look at his excuses over the next few weeks, starting with the first one now.

I AM NOT THE ONE!

When God told Moses what he was to do, he said in so many words, "I am not the one!"  To be specific, Moses responded, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11).  It seems that Moses was suffering from low self-esteem.  God had just revealed and confirmed Moses' purpose to him, yet Moses tried to explain why he wasn't the one to do the deed.  Have you ever done the same thing?  Are you doing it now?

You pray to know and fulfill your purpose. When God reveals it to you, however, you may be surprised when God complies with our request.  A litany of excuses often follows that revelation when you inform God that you don't have the talent, time, money, education, experience, or permission from your spouse to do His will.

Are you struggling with low self-esteem or lack of confidence in your PurposeQuest?  Then you can take some consolation that Moses struggled with the same thing, yet went on to do great things.  If you need some additional and more personalized assistance, however, you will need to read on.

THREE VERSES

Here are three verses that I recommend you study this week if low self-esteem is your problem.

1. "As God's fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain" (2 Corinthians 6:1).  You are not alone.  When you function in your purpose, God is with you and is your co-worker.  If you were alone, you would have cause for concern.  God is working with you, however, to help you accomplish the task.
2. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20-21).  More than simply being with you, God lives in you.  You can learn how to surrender to the Jesus who lives in you and works through you.  That makes you a carrier of something and Someone special, and that Someone empowers you to fulfill your purpose.
3. "But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).  The Spirit came to give you the mind of Christ. Why are so surprised when you have it?  You should be surprised when you don't.  When you realize that you have this mind, you will be more confident in your abilities, or rather God's abilities, to finish the job He assigned you.

The coming week is as good a week as any to confront your low self-esteem or lack of confidence.  Honestly assess where you are as it relates to God's purpose for your life.  If you are thinking or saying, "I am not the one," you can simply start saying, "I am the one."  That simple confession can change your life from one of purpose drifting to purpose cruising.  Stop using your creativity to feed your excuse-making machine that keeps you convinced that you cannot achieve or produce. Move beyond your limitations this week and join others who have stopped putting their faith in their own abilities and put their faith in God.  As you do that, I know you will have a great week!

Comments

[Chris Meekins]

I an thankful as I push forward toward the purpose God has for me right now. When we walk in the daily act of obedience He does provide and opens the very next door (or at least unlocks it) so we can choose to be obedient and follow Him

[JOSEPH KOMO]

I thank the aimighty God for the opportunity he has given us to continue learning more about him and his purpose on us. i hope he is going to give us the strengh and willingness to develop an intimate relationship with him.GOD bless.

[Erick]

Every process we undergo in our PurposeQuest, including every 'correctional facility' that the Lord our God takes us through to mend our dysfunctionalities are only as useful as they relate to drawing us closer to Him. For in the ultimate, His purpose for our lives is that we BECOME one with Him when all is said and DONE.

[Winnie Ogunde]

Thank you Dr. Stanko for inspiring me to keep moving forward and allow God to guide me as indicated in this last issue. I am encouraged by your 500 mark of Monday memo. Monday memo has been a great tool of encouragement and challenge whenever I want to down my tools and take a break with an excuse that it is not yet time to move away from Egypt. The Lord bless as refresh many Christians round the world.