The Reluctant Candidate and the Burning Bush
Some of us settle into life and our routines in this modernized accepting that we are just good enough and not to ask for more. God doesn't call the equipped but rather calls then equips.
I often day dream about days and nights tending a herd of Spanish Dorper sheep crosses throughout the Texas hill country. With only a rifle, a horse, maybe a strong shepherd dog with all the provisions and materials needed in my pack out, saddle, and tack for at least a week out and back. The days would be to rest and bunker down looking for springs for the herd to drink and me to cool off, rest, and take off my boots. The nights would be active movement, covering ground and protecting the herd from nocturnal predators. It would be risky but I could imagine a tremendous amount of silence and reflection in the herding days of Moses time and how critical that was to his development later in his life. It was what God used to lead him to Sinai, it was what God used to lead him to “I AM”
At this point in Moses' life, he wasn’t looking for any kind of divine calling. In fact, he was doing what most would consider a lowly job—tending sheep for his father-in-law, Jethro. He wasn’t looking to take on any huge responsibility, certainly not something as overwhelming as leading an entire nation out of slavery. Moses had long since turned his back on Egypt and everything that had once defined him. He had run as far from his past as he could, to the remote backwaters of the desert, where he thought he could live a quiet, unnoticed life.
But then, one fateful night, as he led his flock, as he had done countless times before, he found himself at the foot of Mount Sinai—the mountain of God. And that’s when it happened. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of an acacia bush. Moses was startled, captivated by the sight. The bush burned with an intense, consuming fire, yet it wasn’t being consumed. It shouldn’t have been possible. It was a miraculous sign that stopped him in his tracks and drew him nearer.
But instead of jumping at the opportunity, Moses hesitated. He drew near, but there was something in him that wanted to back away. God was speaking to him. The call was clear, but Moses didn’t see himself as the one for the job. In his mind, he wasn’t prepared for this kind of responsibility. He had long ago given up on any sense of purpose, and now God was pulling him into a future he hadn’t planned for—a future that demanded far more than he thought he could give. It was the first of many miraculous signs God would show him, but for Moses, it was still just a reminder of his unpreparedness, his past failures, and his doubts about what he was capable of.
God doesn’t always call the people who are looking to be called, or the ones who have everything figured out. God calls who He calls, when He calls, and it doesn’t always make sense at first.
5 Excuses from Us
When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, Moses didn’t exactly jump at the chance. In fact, he put up five excuses, each one a reason why he believed he was unfit for the job. But each time Moses offered an excuse, God had an answer ready. Here’s how the conversation went down:
1. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” (Exodus 3:11)
Moses’ first excuse was rooted in doubt about his own identity and ability. He thought he was too insignificant to take on such a monumental task. "Who am I to do this?" he asked, feeling unworthy and overwhelmed by the idea.
God's response:
God didn’t engage with Moses' self-doubt. Instead, He made a powerful promise: “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). It wasn’t about Moses being the right person for the job; it was about the fact that God was going to be with him every step of the way. The power wasn’t in Moses—it was in the One sending him.
2. “What if they don’t believe me or listen to me?” (Exodus 4:1)
Moses was concerned that the people wouldn’t accept him as their leader. What if they didn’t believe that God had truly sent him? What if they dismissed him as a fraud?
God's response:
God gave Moses signs to prove His divine calling. He told Moses to throw his staff on the ground, and it became a serpent. Then, God instructed him to pick it up by the tail, and it turned back into a staff. God also gave Moses the ability to make his hand leprous and then heal it. These signs would demonstrate God’s power and convince the people that Moses was truly sent by Him (Exodus 4:2-9).
3. “I’m not eloquent. I’m slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)
Moses argued that he wasn’t a good speaker, that he didn’t have the words to convince Pharaoh or lead the people. He felt inadequate, believing that his speech impediment (or lack of eloquence) would hold him back.
God's response:
God didn’t buy into Moses’ insecurity. He reminded Moses that He was the one who created him and had control over his abilities: “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11). In other words, if God called Moses to speak, He would equip him to do so. And, as an additional help, God appointed Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be his spokesperson (Exodus 4:14-16).
4. “Please, send someone else.” (Exodus 4:13)
At this point, Moses was done making excuses. He just didn’t want the responsibility. He didn’t want to be the one. He tried to flat-out reject God’s call, asking God to send someone else—anyone else.
God's response:
God became angry but still didn’t give up on Moses. He provided a solution by sending Aaron, his brother, to go with him. God reassured Moses, “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” (Exodus 4:15). Even when Moses tried to step back from the call, God made sure he had the support he needed.
5. “I’m not qualified. I’m not capable.”
This wasn’t a specific excuse in words, but it was Moses’ underlying feeling throughout the entire encounter. He was overwhelmed by his sense of inadequacy, his failure in Egypt, his fears, and his doubts. Deep down, he felt like he didn’t have what it took.
God’s response:
God didn’t focus on Moses’ qualifications. He focused on His own power and the fact that Moses was called for a purpose. In the end, Moses’ qualifications didn’t matter. What mattered was God's calling, His presence, and His power working through Moses.
Answers from God
In each of Moses’ excuses, God’s response was essentially the same: "It’s not about you. It’s about Me." The call didn’t depend on Moses’ abilities, speech, or past. It depended on God’s faithfulness to equip him for the task. And through every excuse, God offered both reassurance and a solution, showing Moses that He would provide everything Moses needed—if only Moses would trust Him.
Moses didn’t think he was ready, but God knew he was the one for the job. And despite his reluctance and fears, Moses eventually obeyed. Through God's strength, Moses became the leader who confronted Pharaoh and led the Israelites to freedom.
God’s response to Moses' excuses is a reminder to all of us: When God calls, it’s not about whether we think we’re capable. It’s about trusting that He will make us capable, no matter our doubts, our shortcomings, or our fears.
Summary
The truth is, no matter where you are—whether you’re at the top of your game or stuck in a desert of your own making—God’s call is still there. It’s not about your past, your job title, or how many mistakes you’ve made. It’s about whether you’re willing to trust Him, even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
I know the call is still there for all of us. Like Moses, I had to face the uncomfortable truth that God wanted more from me than I was willing to give. But like Moses, I also had to realize that God doesn’t call us to do something and then leave us to do it alone. He walks with us, and sometimes, the greatest strength we can have is the willingness to say “yes” to Him, even when it doesn’t make sense. Because in the end, God is bigger than our doubts, bigger than our fears, and bigger than our past.
So, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, God is still calling. The question is: are you ready to listen? Because when He calls, it’s never just about what you can do—it's about what He can do through you. And that’s where the real adventure begins.
Just like Moses, you might not see yourself as the right person for the job, but God sees potential in you that you might not even see in yourself. It’s time to step up, no matter where you’re at, because God’s got a plan for you, and His call doesn’t come with an expiration date
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Thank you for taking the time to reflect with me. Today’s reading from The Fire of God’s Presence by A.W. Tozer inspired this reflection. Currently I am listening to it on Audible and this book absolutely lights a fire in me daily combined with scripture. Usually I start at 4:10AM after I get my bones moving and coffee in my body prior to working out. I like to give at least an hour to writing with a pen in my journal and now posting my ideas or thought train onto my Substack. Ignore any errors and please feel free to subscribe if you want to learn more about my dive into Men’s Devotionals, Agriculture, Training, and my journey in Texas. The Daily Sage is a reflection on scripture, daily life in Texas, agricultural projects I am working on, and real estate. I am expecting a son in 2025 and I am married to a remarkable woman who is a serial entrepreneur and strong wife.