How many ways can you (try to) say no?

Exodus 3:11,13 & 4:1,10,13

My last reflection focused on the way God spoke to Moses through a burning bush, and Moses’ first reluctant response to God’s call. Well, Moses’ second, third, fourth, and fifth answers to God were all resistant, too. I’ve included his first response again so you can feel the full effect of Moses’ excuses:

1. But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11)

2. Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Ex. 3:13)

3. Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” (Ex. 4:1)

4. But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” (Ex. 4:10)

5. But [Moses] said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” (Ex. 4:13)

This last excuse gets on God’s nerves; the next verse (14) begins “Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses...” Moses has tried five different ways to dodge the call! (Recall that Gideon tried a few excuses, too.) God is asking Moses to step out of his comfort zone, to go back to the scene of the crime, the point of his fear, to save his people. When God calls, He expects an affirmative answer.

How might you feel if you continually get excuses from others in the family business? Maybe you’ve asked a business partner repeatedly for support in communicating a message to staff or vendors, or to include you in key decisions. You’ve asked a family member time and time again to show up as a leader, to handle a recurring problem, to talk about the future of the business, or for the opportunity to fully lead the business or a function within it. It’s terribly frustrating when all you get in return, repeatedly, is excuses. Or closer to home: How about when someone has asked YOU to do something you are reluctant to do, but you know down deep it is good for the family or the business?

Have you ever lost your cool after repeatedly asking a family member to do something? What are some of your excuses when family members or business partners make a request you’d rather not fulfill?