There’s always an excuse if we’re looking for one.
I’ve made so many excuses in my life. For years I may have sensed God was calling me into vocational ministry, but I knew I had to provide for my family. Also, I would be leading with the limps of previous failures—how and why would God use me? I didn’t have the most pastoral qualities either. For example, I’m far more of an organizational developer than I am a caregiver for the sick. There were a dozen others. If anyone had an encouragement for me to be in ministry—and I received lots—I had an excuse why it wasn’t a good idea.
Even when we are certain God has called us to something, we will stall because an excuse is always near.
And, most excuses seem reasonable at first glance. Common sense even. Think about the excuses Moses made for following God. I have to be honest—when I hear them, they make sense to me. I mean, if you’re not a good communicator—why send you as the chief spokesman for God?
But, God’s ways are not my ways—or Moses’—or yours.
The reality is following a God-inspired, God-sized dream always requires stepping into the unknown and always demands we overcome our excuses.
Are you stalling? Maybe you’re even running out of another good excuse. If an opportunity is still staring you in the face, let me encourage you from some of the best excuses I’ve used or heard—which have more times than not been proven wrong.
Here are seven of the most common excuses I’ve used or heard:
I can’t!
Your excuse is you don’t have what it takes. And, the sad part of this excuse—this also means you aren’t trusting God to provide what you lack. Saying I can’t to a God thing is an indicator of faith. If God calls you to it—you can do it because whatever you lack He will supply. (Gideon would love to weigh in on this excuse. Judges 6.)
I don’t know how!
The task seems overwhelming and you may be too proud to ask for help. So, I don’t know how will just have to do for now. If you trace its roots—this excuse is often fueled by either laziness, apathy or fear. (Do you think Noah knew how to build a boat the size of an ark? See Genesis 6.)
I don’t have time!
God calls for obedience now, but you’re preoccupied. And, chances are—with this as an excuse—you never will have time. This one has worked for me before too—for a season. What it really means is I have my time and God’s time. And, more specifically, I have my agenda and God’s agenda—and there is no time left in my agenda. (See how Jesus liked this excuse in Luke 9:57-62.)
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Source: Church Leaders
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