EXCUSES

Today's reading: Jeremiah 1-6

"The Lord gave me a message. He said, I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world. O Sovereign Lord, I said, I can't speak for you! I'm too young! Don't say that the Lord replied, for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!" Jeremiah 1:4-7 NLT

I can't speak for you! I'm too young!

I can't share the Good News! I'm not very well versed in it!

I can't tell my neighbor my testimony! I'm still not perfect!

I can't stand and speak! I'm not a good talker!

I can't volunteer to serve in the church! I'm not as good as Sister So-And-So!

Are you seeing a pattern here?

We, as God's creation, are quite adept at being able to provide an excuse for why we can't, won't, or shouldn't fulfill the purpose He created us for.

We offer reasons as to why someone else should be selected for the task.

We provide long lists of our inadequacies.

We tell the Lord, in so many words, that He is silly for even asking us.

We tend to live with an excuse on the tip of our tongue at all times.

The thing is--

God is fully aware of who you are, what abilities you have, your past and your tendency to royally mess things up--and still asks you to tell others of Him!

How about, just for today, we stop with the excuses?