HAVE YOU EVER FELT IMPELLED, even inspired, to pursue some wonderful objective, but found yourself resisting the impetus? You might think you're not adequately prepared or think it's a foolish idea based on a whim or an unrealistic dream and not truly a worthy goal. You may believe that too much work is involved or you just don't have the time or energy for it. Maybe the obstacles seem too daunting.
Whatever form of resistance we may encounter, all of us can take heart that we're not alone in the typical reluctance to answer an inspired calling. We need look no further than the Bible to find examples of those who at first resisted God's divine impulsions but then successfully followed through. And we can learn from their experiences.
For instance, chapters 3 and 4 of Exodus relate the story of Moses, who received the word of God directing him to free his fellow Israelites from the oppression of the Egyptian Pharaoh. Moses had an abundance of excuses for why he should not take on this God-inspired mission. He was not worthy, he argued. "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" Yet a reassuring answer came from God, "Certainly I will be with thee" (Ex. 3:11-12).
