Lent 2021 Day 33 – Excuses

Even though God has gifted each and every one of us and expects us to use those gifts for the good of His people and His kingdom, we have a bottomless well of excuses for every failure in our lives. I can say it is because I got rejected, or they didn’t understand what I was trying to say, or to busy or distracted to respond, or any other of a thousand reasons for failing.

There is something we as Christians need to never forget. Listen to Jesus in Luke 9:62, “62Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Paul echoes a similar premise in Philippians 3:13-14 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Once the hand is to the plow, you have answered the call. You can never take your eye off of the prize, the goal, the calling. Remember, God doesn’t change his mind–the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29)–so we can’t give up while we still have any chance to use those gifts to exercise that calling. While we still have breath, we still live and God hears us in our plea to do right by Him. The Psalmist (116:2) reminds us, “2Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.” While there is breath, there is hope.

So listen to the author of Hebrews (12:12-13) “12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Heal me oh Lord, so that I can lift my hands to your work and walk the straight and righteous path with strengthened knees. For you are my God and I am your servant. Amen.

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