The Exquisite [and Deadly] Nature of Excuses, Part IV

From a secular viewpoint, Eric Hoffer said, "For many people, an excuse is better than an achievement, because an achievement, no matter how great, leaves you having to prove yourself again in the future; but an excuse can last for a life."

It has occurred to me -- my urge to excuse myself (especially from doing the hard things of following Christ) often centers on two key and lame responses: "I don't want to..." and "I can't!" In other words, "I have no desire, so I will not"...and I have no capacity or ability, so I cannot...

But Scripture says: God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13, NLT). In other words, when I come forth with either of those two excuses, I'm denying the Truth that God's Spirit offers me both the desire and the power to move out. In Biblical terms, it seems the Spirit is always moving, always giving impulses, always offering desire, motivation and power -- all I need to proceed. But when I mutter the excuses, to myself or to others, I am then (the New Testament's language) quenching and grieving the Spirit.

The Exquisite [and Deadly] Nature of Excuses, Part III

The Spiritual Nature of Excuses

• Excuses keep my focus on the temporal instead of the long-term and eternal (1 John 2:15, 16)

• Excuses justify spiritual impotence and sterility.
  

• Excuses deny the power and motivation of God's Spirit in my life.

• Excuses mitigate against faith (meaning I give in to fear and no risk-taking) and they bolster human reason.

• Excuses keep people deceived regarding what are the real values, aim and purpose of their lives.

• Excuses keep (especially males!) silent and abdicating leadership. They keep us out of the game.

• Excuses render marriages, families, churches and organizations fruitless.

The Exquisite [and Deadly] Nature of Excuses, Part II

Another definition of an excuse.

An excuse is a lie, masquerading as a reason.

The Exquisite [and Deadly] Nature of Excuses, Part I

Lord, I will follow You. But let me first go and bury my father. Lord, I would follow You, but I've bought a field, purchased a herd, married a wife...."

In my recent time away, God brought to mind a great deal about excuses. Such a fascinating practice, excuse-making! I came to realize that excuses are exquisite (when we find the perfect one for the right occasion) and simultaneously deadly (because they successfully block us from making further progress).

By way of definition, it occurred to me that an excuse (as opposed to a reason) is a "verbal response allowing its giver to shun responsibility and accountability."


We offer up excuses in the social realm, the marriage realm, on the job and then, above all, in the spiritual life. For me, among the sorriest of communications are those by which we "excuse" not following Jesus and not pursuing His agenda (Matthew 6:33).

So, over the next few days (or weeks!) I want to untangle my thoughts about the issue by jotting them down here. I'd welcome your responses! Certainly, there are the out-and-out lies we utter as excuses: "The dog ate my homework." There are the excuses which might carry within them a kernel of truth. "I've been so busy!" What seems clear is that:

• With them (excuses) I blame others for my failure or ineffectiveness. (Adam: "This woman You gave me...")

• With them I choose a lesser value over a greater one.

• By them I can do what I want and yet not appear to be self-absorbed!

• By them I can avoid doing hard things.
  

• With excuses I blend into the crowd. (ah, the safe mooing herd!)

• With them, I avoid risk, loss and the accompanying pain or humility.

Next time I want to describe what I see as the spiritual nature of excuses -- that explains in my mind how they become so deadly.

I can hear more when I'm quiet!

My son Jeff gave me the gift of rest last week. He took me on a trip, and for seven days, I could rest, read, listen and be quiet. What a treat. There were no expectations, no requirements and no deadlines. It was so good to spend some great time with my son. Then, as I read God's Word, I heard His voice clearly. The Father encouraged me and directed and re-oriented me -- to my value to Him and to my purpose and calling from Him. What a pleasure it was, to just be with the One Who loves Me and knows me by name. What a joy to know that I need not perform to please Him...that He wants me, as He's made me to be, doing what He's made me to do. What a prospect to look forward now -- to serving and developing servants, and therein being like the Master.

Faithful is He Who Called You

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Jesus, in Luke 16:10

Let it never be forgotten that glamor is not greatness; applause is not fame; prominence is not eminence. The man of the hour is not apt to be the man of the ages. A stone may sparkle, but that does not make it a diamond; people may have money, but that does not make them a success. It is what the unimportant people do that really counts and determines the course of history. The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. Summer showers are more effective than hurricanes, but they get no publicity. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty and consecration of those whose names are unhonored and unsung. James R. Sizoo

Focus and simplicity

While for years now the church has invested in growing larger, the new missional movement is trying to get smaller in its focus so that it can get bigger in its impact. Neil Cole