What Excuse?
You may or may not be familiar with the story of Moses. His life story lends to one full of disappointments, hurt, fear and rejection. After an order was made by the Egyptian ruler Pharaoh to kill all Hebrew boys, Moses’ mother hid him and sent him down the Nile river. Being seen, adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses lived a royal life. Years later Moses escapes then has an encounter with an angel of God who speaks to him to demand the Israelites to be released from slavery.
This is when Moses names his struggles that may inhibit him from being used for such a great task. He reminds the angel he has a stuttering problem. Clearly they have selected the wrong person for the job. God then appoints Moses’ brother Aaron to be his spokesperson. Moses goes on later to lead the people of Israelites across the Red Sea. It’s interesting to me when asked to be the leader of this task, Moses very quickly highlights his shortcomings. It made me wonder how we are much like Moses.
Lately I have been feeling very inadequate, unqualified and insecure to carry out the vision and dreams I see for myself. The tasks seems a bit daunting filled with much uncertainty. Maybe you feel the same way. We very quickly look on the things we don’t have as to why we could never in a million years embark on such a journey. We often look over at the next person who has achieved and is achieving much more than us. It reminds us the idea of success would be impossible for us. Recently I had to tell myself, “Listen, you have got to stop this! You are wasting so much time questioning your ability rather than using the ability you have to get to work.”
Here are three things you can do today as you go in the direction of giving up excuses.
Focus
Stay In Your Lane
Believe
In high school I ran track, the 200 meter open to be exact. Our coaches always emphasized the importance of focusing on your race, staying in our lane and to believe we could win. It’s amazing how those lessons years ago are so applicable to right now.
Focus. This requires you lock into what you want to see for you. What are you going to give up so that you can focus? What areas in your life need to change so we can have laser focus? What do you need to do more of to gain focus? What do you need less of to focus? Here is what works for me. Plan out your week. Create a schedule for yourself. Create a routine, include time to REST! Start your day with quiet so you can hear the directions of the day.
Stay in your Lane. If you want to be a writer don’t attempt to be Maya Angelou, she already has an amazing body of work. The world is waiting for YOU! If you aren’t great at marketing find someone, pray you are lead to someone who can help you with that aspect. No matter what you do stay in your lane. In track and field you are disqualified if you step over in someone else’s lane. Disqualification is real in track and field and life. Stay in your lane.
Believe. There was a song they sang when I was growing up the lyrics said, “All things are possible if you only BELIEVE!” The world will give you so much to make you doubt. Doubt isn’t allowed at the table or in your mind. When you feel those thoughts and feelings of doubt, take a deep breath, speak your affirmation. Repeat it a couple of times and get back to the work! Don’t let your unbelief be the reason you don’t see your dreams happen! Only Believe!
Don’t be like Moses focusing on the shortcomings or what you don’t have. Let shortcomings be the fuel that pushes you to go after what you have dreamed of. Stay Focused, Stay in your Lane, Keep Believing. It may not look like much. It may not even feel like much. I promise you if you become content with what you have in your hand, use what’s in your hand you will be become so full and complete. It’s a journey in accepting who you are, welcoming what you have and saying over and over again until you believe.
Girl.Be.You!