Countering Excuses

"When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.' But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come.' " -Luke 14:17-21

If God asked you to a party, would you come? I mean, really... would you? I'm sure you're saying yes, because that would be a the best party ever! But if God asked you to do something, would you do it? Sometimes we feel the gentle nudging of his hand or the slight conviction as we know we're called to more. But yet we just settle for mediocrity and explain ourselves with excuses.

But, do you know what? God has not called us to live behind excuses. He has called us to be great men and women of God who accomplish great things. He does not call us to live in the molds of the past - He destines us for something new.

It has been the hardest thing for me to stay on a consistent workout schedule and loose my "freshman 20" I gained in Bible college. I know what the right thing is; I just have a hard time focusing enough to get it to happen. It's similar with a mission from God. If the desire He's placed in your heart is to serve people and earn money to bless the church and to bless others, then you must focus on it. If He's placed it on your heart to be a musician in the house of God, then it must be a priority. Focus requires consistency. And people who are consistent aren't in the habit of making excuses.

Tell God today what you're going to do. Write it down. Take a step of faith. Trust God. You'll see amazing things happen when you do!

Related resource: Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People, by Bob Goff

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