04/19/2021
Today's Verse
“But they all alike began to make excuses.”
LUKE 14:18 ESV
What is the best excuse you have used to get out of something?
We have all been invited to an event we really didn’t want to go to. If you’re like many people, perhaps you crafted an excuse for why you would not be able to attend.
On the other hand, have you ever wanted to go someplace that seemed out of reach, so you did all you could to beg, plead, and even pay your way to attend?
One day, Jesus told a story of a man who invited many people to a banquet, but when the final preparations had finished and it was time to begin, everyone made excuses for why they couldn’t attend. Has Jesus ever invited you to go places or to do things and you responded with some sort of excuse? No matter how good of an excuse it was, it kept you from what God had for you. God doesn’t like excuses. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Samuel 15:22). I wonder what plans we could have that would be better than God’s invitation?
Live this day and week with a “yes” mentality and responsiveness to the invitations of Christ. Whether it’s meeting Him at church, going to an unknown place, speaking to a person at the grocery store, forgiving an enemy, being still in His presence or any other thing, try saying “yes” and then show up. Think about what it would look like if you put down every possible excuse and said, “Speak for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10).
Let us begin asking ourselves, why would we ever want to get out of spending time with the Lord who created all things and maintains them within His balance? What excuse could we possibly give that would satisfy the eternal, all-knowing, life-creating, life-sustaining, life-transforming, death-defying, Lord and Savior?
Instead of making an excuse to get out of it, try begging, pleading and doing all you can to show up. Live above the excuse.
