Excuses and Blessings

Over the last few weeks, I've been reading Exodus and God's shown me something I've never seen before. In the beginning of the book, God speaks to Moses at the burning bush. Moses gives several excuses for why He can't do what God asks him to do. Despite Moses' numerous attempts, God has a rebuttal for every excuse. Finally, Moses comes straight out and asks God to send someone else:

^{Exodus 4:13-17}

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

So God tells Aaron to meet Moses in the desert. And Aaron obeys. As the story continues, God begins to pour blessings out on Aaron for his obedience. Yes, He blesses Moses too, but it's not quite the same. Moses could have experienced so much more had He been obedient to God's call in the first place. I wonder how Moses felt once he realized what he had given up.

Thinking back to the decisions I've made in the past, I wonder how many blessings I've given up. God doesn't call us to obedience just for the sake of Himself or for others. He calls us to obedience for our own growth and reward. So the next time I'm about to make an excuse, I hope I'll stop and ask myself, "Do I really want to give up the blessing God intended for me?"