excuses

over the past week i have become acutely aware of the amount of excuses i use.  i also have noticed how many other people use excuses to justify their behavior, tardiness, poor decisions, lack of passion, and stupidity.  excuses are what keep teams from winning.  excuses are what keep churches from growing.  excuses are what keep us from our God-given potential.  excuses are a

excuses always replace progress.  excuses always try to cover up character gaps (remember adam? “God, it was this woman that you gave me!”).  excuses attempt to make us feel better about ourselves.  excuses keep us from growing.  excuses are the result of pride (and not wanting to look bad).  excuses fuel failure!

i don’t know about you, but i’m done with the deceptive nature and destructive habit of excuses.   there is something liberating about not hiding or trying to disguise truths i’ve sold.  God is looking for people who stop looking at why they can’t live big for Him and just do it.

Jesus (in Luke 15) tells the story of God’s Kingdom dinner.  he shares how the invites went out and the food is on the table… but “then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses.”  jesus continues to share how one after the other excuses were given - they were pretty good excuses.  excuses that dealt with relationships, business and important issues.

most of the excuses in my life are based on making a difference for God in this world, in my city.  many times i find myself saying, “i can’t do anything about that” or “what difference can i make?”.  then i start making all the excuses why i can’t.  proverbs 24:11-12 (msg) says, “rescue the perishing; don’t hesitate to step in and help.  if you say, hey, that’s none of my business, will that get you off the hook?  someone is watching you closely, you know - someone not impressed with weak excuses.”

i pray that we get rid of every lame excuse for not doing God’s will and start doing what we can.  excuses are keeping us from becoming the people God has created us to be - keeping us from becoming the church God has created us to be.

i repent from making excuses.  i’m done with trying to justify why things just stay the same.  i’m through with coasting… from living my life on auto-pilot.  God help me to live passionately for You.  Jesus, i can do all things through you and your strength.  Holy Spirit, keep me from making excuses.  from this moment on - i am living “excuse free”.  anybody care to join me?