Excuses

Chuckle: Beautician: Did that mud-pack I gave you for your girlfriend improve her appearance? Man: It did for a while -- but then it fell off.

Good Quote: "Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses." --Dr. George Washington Carver

Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many  guests . . . But they all alike began to make excuses" (Luke 14:16, 18 NIV).

In our passage, Jesus was teaching His followers through a parable about a great banquet that God is preparing and He is inviting all of us to the celebration. But many who were invited began to make excuses for not accepting the invitation. You may have heard the saying: "If you don't want to do something, one excuse is as good as another." This begs the question: Why are so many of God's people too busy to do his bidding?

I have often heard this excuse, and, regretfully, I've used it myself: "I just have too much on my plate right now" to serve God more fully and faithfully. We can all be certain it isn't God who has filled our plates. We do that ourselves with all the things that take our time, energy, and other resources. Often, our plates are filled with everything except the most important -- God's plan for our lives.

In Jesus' story, many people turned down the banquet invitation because the timing was inconvenient. They had other more pressing demands on their time. We too may resist or postpone our response to God's invitation, and the excuses we offer may sound perfectly reasonable. You may use work requirements, family responsibilities, financial needs, etc. But make no mistake, God's invitation, whether it be for salvation or for Christian service, is the most important bidding in our lives, no matter how inconvenient the timing may seem.

As a Christian, if you find yourself making excuses for not making time for answering God's call to service, please remember the Holy Spirit who dwells within you. If you will allow Him to help you filter out all the "junk" that's on your plate, you will suddenly realize that you have time for God, family, work, etc. If the Holy Spirit has convicted you in this area, let Him help you readjust your priorities. What are you willing to give up to accept God's invitation? Just give God complete control of your life and your problem will be solved.

If you have never received Christ as Savior, please respond to His invitation by placing your trust in Him today. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. Without making excuses, just ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart and life as Savior and Lord.

Love, Jerry & Dotse