The word excuses more often than not carries a negative thought because it is often used in a negative manner. Excuses are easy to find so we naturally reach for any excuses we can come up with to explain why we do or did something; why we don't or did not do something; why we should or should not do something; why we say or said something; and the list goes on. Excuse is very easy, not just because it's easy to find but because it is the most "rational" or "ear pleasing" response we can give to make a bad situation look better than it actually is. There were people in bible times with excuses too. They were all humans like us always looking for ways to avoid our responsibilities. Here are a few examples:
- Moses complained about his speaking abilities in Exodus 4:10
- Jonah tried running away and ended up in the fish belly - Jonah 1:3
- The People in Luke 14:18 had their fair share of excuses
We all make excuses but this doesn't mean all our excuses are valid or necessary. Are there "good" excuses? Yes, I believe there are but they are often referred to as the truth, the solution, the reason or the right answer. Isaiah found a reason to go for God by saying: "Here am I. Send me!" - Isaiah 6:8. Isaiah is a biblical example but here are some other everyday examples that we can imitate so we can do our best without allowing negative excuses to take over our lives. If someone asked what's your excuse for not attending a football game watch party last Sunday? Your answer, if you are a Christian should be something like: "The time conflicted with my worship time to meet with my fellow Christians. Hopefully we can plan it better next time."
AT HOME EXCUSES / TALENTS
Parents to Kids - "You did nothing all day. Why didn't you clean your room?" Kid responds - "I'm sorry I did not prioritize cleaning so I watched TV and played video games. I'm going to get it done right now and hope to do better next time."
I can hear some of you that are parents reading this right now and saying something like: "Yah right... Good luck with that." I'm not saying this is exactly what your kid(s) would say but yes, we can train them to prioritize and make less excuses. We the parents also need to do our very best to lead the way by examples for them to follow. How about the excuses we make for not having enough talents. Talent is a gift not to be buried like Jesus made clear in the parable of the talents. It is not earned so stay humble and do everything you can to leave this world a better place than you found it. Also, don't forget that Jesus was angry with the person that had the least talent because those who had more found ways to make it useful. Jesus wanted us to know that no talent is too small or useless. He did not get angry with the two talent guy for not making it into five. He just doesn't want anyone making excuses while sitting on their talents.Every one has a talent and we ought to use it as we see fit without excuses. Some people may not appreciate you sharing or using your talent because they see it as a threat to their ego. You always have to remember that a prophet mostly have no honor in their home like Jesus said. So when you are not welcome at your "home" a.k.a where ever you call your base, don't get mad, just make yourself useful when you go outside because no one can stop you unless you let them stop you. People can be in your way but they are not your way. You see them as obstacles and you find your way around them. If you are a result driven person and you find yourself tied up in a place or a situation where the people around you are standing in the way of you maximizing your potential or talent, I'll suggest you either:
- Go somewhere else and make yourself useful;
- Surround yourself with new people that value productivity; or
- Do what you can to weave your way around the obstacles by doing the best you can.
PLAYING THE 'HUMAN CARD' EXCUSES
I'm getting tired of us (myself included) minimizing sin by playing the "human card." The human card is mostly used to dismiss or minimize sin (John 15:22). I've played the human card in the past and continue to play it. The difference now is, I no longer use it to minimize or dismiss sin. I use it to mostly explain sin and then correct when need be. Sometimes I still find myself playing the human card to minimize sin but then I quickly rebuke myself and use it for the better. We cannot continue to excuse our way out of every situation. God knew we are humans before sending His son to die in our place. He knows we are humans when he told apostle Paul "My grace is sufficient for you." When Adam listened to one voice (God), he was sinless for a while until the devil's voice came in the picture. The devil knows our weaknesses and will continue to attack. Through Adam came sin and through Jesus came life; life back to God. Let us focus on making progress and doing better instead of unnecessary excuses (Acts 17:30-31).
