Day V: Excuses, Excuses

I was home this Friday & Saturday and I raced with ISU Crew Club at Rockford this weekend. As for Saturday, my accountabilibuddy/devo partner got engaged! So, I will not blog on days 3 and four... but as for Day 5 here we go!

Day V: Excuses, Excuses

I knew by the title, I was in trouble. When we run late or we have to cancel our commitments, we make excuses. "I am sorry I am late I had to...." I have decided no one really cares why I am late, I just better apologize because I just wasted their valuable time. Or when we are a kid and it's time to clean up the table, we magically need to use the toilet or do our homework. Or when God calls us to do something uncomfortable...

"Our struggle with excuses is the test of our commitment to Christ. Make no mistake: in a thousand choices to obey, we are faced with several thousand excuses to turn away. All of them seem 'reasonable.'"

In Matthew 8:19-22, Jesus calls us to follow Him. The cost of genuine commitment requires us to step out in faith. "If we are serious about following Christ, we give up our demands for comfort and we follow him to reach both the rich and the wealthy, the robed and the lepers.... the disciple of Christ doesn't demand or expect comfort. He follows his Lord anywhere and everywhere he leads."

All too often, I am a victim of But Lord, I am too busy. or But Jesus, I don't have time. All too often, we hide behind our excuses. What would happen if I gave God everything always? What would happen if I let Him use me to the extent I could be used?

"We don't want to do what God wants because it requires a little more effort and courage (OK, sometimes a lot more effort and courage!) than drifting along like we usually do. In this pampered culture, we don't want to do anything that requires more from us than we want to give...

[BUT!!!] Every time we say "No" to one our our excuses and say "Yes" to Jesus, we know we must be closer to his heart, sensing his love. What kind of impact did Jesus have on people? Even the hardest sinner knew one thing about him: he loved them. Only the self-righteous religous leaders drew harsh words from Jesus, and that's because they were leading people away from God. To the prostitutes and the other sinners, Jesus was the kindest, most loving person they had ever known. As we know him better, we will be kinder, more loving, more compassionate... different, in a good way."

I have learned to take on less and do a few things well. In that, I am obeying Jesus by giving Him more one on one time. However, I desire for Jesus to infuse my entire life, out of the box. I am often afraid of stepping out there and going at it God's way... but every time I do, I know it is worth it.

I need to listen to God more and me less. Like in Ephesians 6:18, pray continually. Listen continually. Worship through all areas of life. For me, this means giving God my time. My greatest commodity that He gave me.

All quotes in this post are from David Nasser's A Call to Die

PS. This devotional keeps opening doors to listen to God in my life. I have been able to soak in God's word and with His strength forgive others, love more, and be resolved to peace. In the beginning of my senior year, I was going through what felt like the Valley of Death. I went from being with my family and my home church family to being in an apartment. I was yearning for accountability/fellowship and my heart was not at peace... I was seeking and felt dry... but through all times, God provides! Praise God for an awesome accountability partner and drawing people in for fellowship. Prayer Answered!