Sometimes, the grass always seems greener on the other side. Other people seem to have it all together while we have to deal with situations we never bargained for.
“If only” is an excuse people give as to why they cannot perform certain tasks. “Had my circumstances been different, I would have been able to do anything”. This is not to say that all “if only’ s” are not bona fide. They could be genuine, but there are other people who are successful despite that situation that you think is a negative.
When we talk about reasons why people did not yield to God’s call, they come up with several excuses ranging from having a disability to lacking a particular skill or even the finances to set up. If God orders a meal, He’ll definitely pay for it. People don’t think about this but they go along the lines of “If only I did not have this special need”, “If only my parents had sent me to this school” or “If only I had more opportunities open up for me in life”.
The world is a hard place to live in and we are not all dealt the same opportunities. Sometimes, life seems so unfair but we have to make the best out of what it offers. No matter what curved ball life throws at us, we need to do the best we can with it.
While man looks at what he lacks and sees it as a roadblock or show stopper, God sees it as an opportunity to get some glory. No matter the situation we are in, God still has a plan for each and everyone of us to do. If God is leading us in a particular direction in spite of a physical limitation, we need to understand that He knows we can handle it. He will never ask us to do something that he is not willing to give us the grace for. The Bible tells us about a man called Moses. He stammered but this did not deter God from using him. While Moses reminded God of his impediment, God said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”
Joni Eareckson Tada broke her neck at the age of seven in a diving accident. She became paralyzed. That did not stop her from authoring over 40 books, recording albums and advocating for people with disabilities.
Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs. He is an evangelist and a motivational speaker who has been mightily used by God to encourage people. He has authored about 8 books and has starred in a film “The Butterfly Circus”. Early in life, he was discouraged by his condition until his mother showed him a newspaper article about a severely disabled woman who was used by God to pray for others. At the age of 17, he started giving talks at his prayer group. He founded “Life without limbs in 2005” and at the time of writing, he is still an active motivational speaker.
Other examples people give are, if only I was a bit older. Being young or old is irrelevant to God. God is interested in our availability and obedience and not how young or how old we are. David was a teenager when he was used by God to defeat Goliath. Samuel was called by God at about 11 years of age. Timothy was a youth who was encouraged by Paul not to let anyone despise his youth (1 Timothy 4:12). Jesus was discussing with the Rabbis in the temple at the age of 12. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a teenager. A person’s young age does not stop God from entrusting them with an assignment. It certainly didn’t in the case of David, Timothy, Samuel and Jesus. If it didn’t, we can infer that, it wouldn’t stop Him from calling us, if we are young. If only I were a little older though a common excuse used by young people, is not a valid excuse to God. We should not let our young age rob us of the opportunity to serve God.
If people can claim that they are too young to be used by God, you can bet that you will find others that will claim that they are too old.
Abraham was 75 years when he turned away from worshipping idols. He walked with God and believed God for a son. He eventually had Isaac at an old age. Abraham was later known as the father of many nations. Joshua too was old when he was used by God to lead the Israelites to the promised land. At the age of 85, Joshua asked God for another mountain. He was not ready to retire but he was ready for the next challenge God had in store for him.
Moses too served God till he was old and so did Eli, Simeon and many others. Old age is no excuse for not fulfilling the call of God upon your life. In fact, the older you are, the more experienced you are and you might have some words of wisdom for the young. (Job 32:7).
Psalm 92:14 (NIV) says “They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green.” God expects our lives to be fruitful no matter our age, status, stature or physical condition. What we consider as an excuse and a hindrance to fulfilling God’s call, might not be an excuse to someone else. I can assure you that someone with a worse condition somewhere in the world is getting along fine with what we class as an excuse.
Can you fulfil the call-in spite of that excuse? The ball is in your court.