Excuses – what are they? Merraim-Webster explains “excuses” – as making apology for something, attempting to remove blame for.

I don’t know about you, but I know way too often I fall into the trap of excuses. Somebody asks me to do this, and I really don’t want to, so I make an excuse. The excuse sounds completely logical, but at the heart of the excuse may be pure laziness, disgust at the task at hand, or whatever the reason may be.

This song portrays just some of the many excuses we as Christians may try to use. And to be completely honest, I have used some of them myself. One such instance is after coming home from work at 7:30 am, I am just too tired to get ready for church and be in the pew by 9 am. Or I was out too late the night before and I am just really tired, so I guess I will stay home.

Making excuses is just one of the ways the devil attempts to lead us astray. The last thing he wants us to do is go to church, spend an afternoon witnessing to neighbors, take some time to pray with a hurting soul. So he formulates these “excellent” excuses and dresses them up with a pretty bow, so we don’t feel so bad about it.

So when you make your next excuse, when I make my next excuse; take a moment to stop and recognize the root of the excuse.

• Is it because I just don’t want to do something, because if it is, look what we are commanded in Scripture: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23
• Or is it because I don’t feel adequate, but what does God’s Word say about the called: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
• Or because I feel better than them; well, Jesus spent time with sinners and publicans: “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.” Matthew 9:10

No matter what excuse we can come up with, we will find how Jesus responded to every such situation. Now I am not saying that you must never say “no.” As human beings, we are not able to do everything! But I challenge myself and you to stop and take a serious look each time we turn down an opportunity. What is the real reason to turning down this opportunity? Was something in my life taking priority over what God has called me to do? Or is God calling me to do a complete turn in the opposite direction?

Don Wilder says it best of all. Excuses build nothing but a house of failure! Don’t make an excuse! Give a solid reason why you can or cannot do something; a reason that is completely centered in the will of God!

My challenge to you is to pray and seek God’s direction for each and every decision! From personal experience, I can tell you it is a blessing to see the way where God leads when you allow Him to take over the reins and direct you as to what you are to do.

Praying for you all!

Until next time,

PS. Stay tuned for the post on God’s leading and direction in the life of the Christian.