Paper WallsSample

Not Buyin’ It

Prayer: Heavenly Father, show me where I’m believing my own “becauses.” Show me where I’m missing out because I’m hiding out. Help me move beyond my excuses so I can be free to follow you.

Reading

If you grew up in church, you probably heard people say in one form or another: God loves you just as you are.

The most famous Bible verse, John 3:16, says, "God so loved the world.” He loved the people in it—just as they were. And yet… This is only one-half of the equation. Yes, God loves you the way you are. But he loves you too much to leave you the way you are.

God knows your potential! And that’s a good thing. Because God loves you and knows your potential, he doesn’t want you to hide behind your becauses.

The truth is, our excuses are lies we tell ourselves about ourselves. And then… We believe them!

Yesterday’s reading asked you to consider whether some of your well-rehearsed reasons are actually excuses. Excuses get in the way of your ability to follow Jesus. Excuses become the boss of you. They tell you what you can and can’t do.

When we let excuses lord over our lives, we live behind self-fabricated paper walls… not the best place to follow Jesus. So, it makes sense that our heavenly Father would call our bluff. That he’d say to us what we say to people we care about: “Stop making excuses!”

Jesus had a habit of doing this.

On one occasion, Jesus invited a man to be his follower. Talk about the chance of a lifetime! But the man replied,

“Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” (Luke 9:59)

This sounds reasonable to us. First things first—the man was planning his dad’s funeral. But in ancient times, when someone died, you buried them immediately. Jesus knew this man’s father was still alive. He wouldn’t be out and about if his father’s body was in the house. The man was making an excuse. Someday, after his father passed, he would catch up with Jesus. Another time. Later.

Jesus knew that later might be too late. He told him,

“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60)

Jesus was inviting this man into something big. He was inviting him to have his name in lights! Do you remember that guy’s name? Nobody does.

Then, another man volunteered. Sort of.

Still another said, “I will follow you Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” (Luke 9:61)

This also sounds reasonable. Don’t all our excuses sound reasonable? But Jesus knew his reason was a delay tactic. Jesus answered,

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

Jesus was referring to plowing a furrow in a field. To do that, you had to keep your eyes straight ahead to ensure a straight furrow. One look backward could knock you off course in the rocky soil.

Jesus was essentially saying to the man: You’re afraid to go all-in, so I’ll have to leave you behind. This might sound harsh. But isn’t that what love does? It calls us out and names our reasons for what they are: excuses.

Consider this question: How would Jesus respond to your excuses? He knows your entire story. He knows your heart, your hang-ups, and your fears.

Fear is at the root of most excuses. But Jesus said “fear not” more than any other command. He knows that if we’re not careful, we can excuse our lives away. We can even excuse our faith away.

God knows better than to accept your becauses as actual causes. If you’re honest, you know better, too.

Because he loves you, God wants better for you.

Reflection

As you read, which of your go-to excuses came to mind? Would you consider telling the person your excuse impacts the most?