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Sep 07, 2023 18:30pm

Excuses

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There was a young man and young woman who were in love. They dated for three years planning their wedding and their life together.

But he had still yet to propose.

After four years, the young woman urged him to take the next step towards their life together, but he replied, “I want us to graduate college first. That’s very important.”

So, they graduated college. And she waited.

“I think I need to make sure I get the perfect job first. We need financial security.”

So, he landed the perfect job. And she waited.

“I just have this little apartment. I think I need to build a house for us first.”

So, he built a house. And she waited.

“I’ve got this great opportunity and think I might get a promotion. Then we will be set.”

So, he worked hard for the promotion and he got it. And she waited.

“My mother and father really need my help and I’ve got to provide for them. When they pass away, we will finally get married.”

So, years went by and yet, she was still there, waiting.

“My car is almost paid off and then we will be financially secure. Let me pay it off first and then I’ll buy you a ring.”

So, he paid off the car. And she waited.

“My boss is moving me to London for two years. When I return, then it will be the right time.”

And so, he went to London. She waved goodbye to him from the airport terminal and wondered if he would ever return.

She had waited so long, would he ever take that step and commit to a life with her? He always had excuses and she knew, deep down, that he would never follow through.

Luke 9:57-62

“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Excuses. Not reasons. We can be full of them.

These men had been with Jesus and He asked them to commit their lives to following Him. But they kept putting it off. Jesus said the time is now. But yet, they chose their excuses over Him.

Are we?

How often have we said, “this year, I will grow closer to God.” And then we allow everything to fill it’s place in our lives.

When we feel the nudge from Him to open our bibles, we continue scrolling through social media.

When we feel His urging within to be a part of a local body of believers, we fill our Sundays with “me time” and projects that must get done.

When we hear that small voice inside us at the invitation to join the church, we ignore it and try to focus our attention elsewhere.

When we say we’ve been wanting to learn more about Him if only someone would show us and someone invites us to a class they are teaching, we throw out one excuse after another.

Following Christ isn’t just about a moment where you ask Jesus to save you. It’s a lifetime commitment of choosing to follow Him. What is He calling us to do today?

Let’s stop with the excuses and respond the way Jesus did to the Father, “Not my will but thine”.