Discernment: The role of excuses

That spirit that wants to block us from the good we are called to do will attack our vulnerabilities.  This spirit knew, for instance, that Moses was weak as a speaker (Ex 4:10), that Gideon perceived himself as the least of his siblings (Judges 6:15), that Jeremiah considered his youth as a reason for not being God's chosen one (Jer 1:4).  So the spirit that is in opposition to God's will used these perceptions to discourage the one called. Moses said to God: I can't be your instrument in freeing your people from Pharaoh; I stutter.  Gideon's response to God was: I can't do what you are asking in saving the Israelites from their enemies; I am insignificant.  Jeremiah argued that he was a mere youth; how could he possibly be a prophet.  What excuses surface within you when God is calling you to be His instrument in bringing about a good?  Source: Discernment of Spirits by Warren Sazama, SJ, National Religious Vocation Conference, Chicago, IL 60615.