Questions and Availability

Day two hundred eight

On my drive to work I listen to the radio, a Christian music station, and they usually have these short news breaks.  Yesterday, they were discussing a recent poll's results on marriage.  The conclusion was that 40% of Americans believe that marriage is outdated.  I was surprised by that number and saddened that something that can bring so much joy into our lives is being laid aside.  I kept thinking about the reasons that could cause such a large number of people to feel this way like divorce, media, lack of religion, etc.  Then I started to think about what I could do to help them understand the importance of marriage.  The best thing I could come up with is to be an example to them.  So I prayed that the Lord would bless my marriage, that we would continue to put the effort and love into that it needs to grow, and that we might be aware that our example might affect others, may it always be in a positive way!

Judges 6:13-16
After the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and made the statement that the Lord was with him and that he was a mighty man of valour, Gideon is amazed by what he hears. He cannot see how the angel could possibly be talking to him. So, he reacts to what is said by questioning the Lord’s word.

Gideon wants to know where the proof of God’s presence can be found. If God was really with His people, shouldn’t they be experiencing victory instead of defeat?

Gideon wants to know where all the miracles have gone. It had been hundreds of years since God delivered Israel from Egypt through the devastating plagues. It had been awhile since the Jordan parted and Israel crossed over on dry ground into the Promised Land. Gideon wants to know where the God who performed all those miracles has gone.

It is the questioning part of this story that reminds me of myself. A lot of us are just like Gideon. We know the Lord wants us to serve Him, but we are so filled with fear and a sense of our own inability that we refuse to trust Him.

Gideon did exactly what Moses did when the Lord called him from the burning bush. Both these men came up with excuses as to why they could not do what the Lord said they could do. Both men felt like the job was over their heads. Both felt like they were inadequate to the task at hand.

We do the same things don’t we? The real problem with both Gideon and Moses, and with us as well, is that we tend to focus on what we are and not on who He is! We focus on the weaknesses instead of remembering that with God we are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds (Phil 4:13; Alma 26:12) We need to learn to be God-conscious! (Is that a real word?) If we can come to the place where we understand that He is able, even if we are not, we will be a better servant of the Lord!

Gideon isn’t there yet, so he makes excuses for why he can’t do what the Lord is calling him to do. Gideon’s excuses are two-fold. He tells the Lord that he did not have Fortune or Fame. He tells him that he cannot afford to do the Lord’s work, and he tells him that nobody knows him.

It's interesting that we do the same thing.  We can come up with all kinds of excuses as to why we are not good enough to do what God calls us to do. The truth is, God uses those that make themselves available to Him regardless of their weaknesses.  He sees beyond that!

My challenge is to stop making excuses about why I can't do what the Lord wants me to do, and just get about doing it. When Gideon finally makes himself available to God he will become a great leader.  What does God have in store for you and me? I'm not sure, but it sure seems worth the try!