No Excuses

4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” 9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. 10  See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Je 1:4–10.

God empowers individuals to fulfill their purposes and achieve great things, expecting them to act on His plan without excuses. This divine empowerment is not contingent on human qualifications or self-perceived abilities; rather, it is a gift from God intended to dispel self-doubt and equip people with His very Words. The core of God’s purpose for us is a resounding call to action, reminding all followers that God has a plan for each of their lives and that excuses are an obstacle He has no time for. He gives the authority and the means to succeed, leaving no valid excuse for inaction.

Excuses are a universal problem, because they hinder progress and are ultimately irrelevant in the face of God’s purpose. Whether in everyday life or when responding to a divine call, excuses are unhelpful and frustrating to those who receive them. God does not care about our excuses, no matter how clever or seemingly valid they may be, because He has already chosen and set us apart for a specific service. He knows our every limitation, but He also knows the immense power He has placed within us. Therefore, to make an excuse is to dismiss God’s foreknowledge and His perfect, loving plan.

Furthermore, God does not require qualifications or prerequisites for us to serve Him. Common excuses like being too young, too old, or lacking specific abilities are irrelevant to a God who provides the necessary tools. Our true qualifications and preparation for service come directly from God’s gifting, not from a series of classes or achievements. God’s choice is rooted in His unconditional love, not in our merit. He is fully aware of our perceived shortcomings, but He expects us to focus not on our limitations, but on the power He has put within us to achieve anything.

The authority to serve God is born out of obedience, and it requires individuals to set aside their excuses and simply follow His commands. Our job as believers is not to add our own thoughts or cleverness to God’s word, but to deliver it faithfully to people. This act of obedience is what gives us the authority to act on His behalf. It is through this submission that God works, cleansing and transforming us and putting His power and words in our mouths. When we embrace this truth, we understand that any rejection of the message is a rejection of God Himself, not of our own limited abilities.

There are no excuses that should inhibit us from fulfilling God’s plan. Through His Word and the Gospel, God gives believers the authority to bring hope to the downtrodden, peace to the anxious, and love to a world in need. This authority is not based on worldly power, but on the immense transformative power of the Holy Spirit. With God having already done the crucial prep work by choosing and equipping us, our only remaining task is to obey and take action. God provides an unwavering call to set aside all reasons for inaction and to embrace the purpose for which we were created—to serve His kingdom and bring about His will on earth.