Hurricanes of Excuse

I said I would do it. I said I would deliver the project on time. I said I would be faithful. I said I would be there.

And then Sandy hit.

The funny thing is that Sandy didn’t derail my life. Sure, we lost power and the kids missed two weeks of school, but in relation to others — you know, the ones featured on news shows around the world? — we got nothing. I do not live on the now non-existent shore, nor do I live in the flooded and destroyed parts of the city. I’m in the suburbs and, apart from some forced family fun by candlelight, Sandy hardly affected us.

That didn’t stop me from using her as a powerful excuse for missing deadlines and unfulfilled commitments.

This made me wonder about other hurricanes of excuse. How often do I use ready explanations to placate deadlines and expectations? How often do I postpone my responsibilities — even opportunities — with partial truths?

It should not be so.

Romans 12:1 encourages us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. King David provided an excellent example for us when we refused to offer sacrifices to the Lord that cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24 and 1 Chronicles 21:24). As followers of  Christ, we have a high calling, a heavenly calling, one that is worthy of far more than convenient efforts. As we worship God in our lives — which obviously includes our work and our writing — what value is there in our offerings?

It would be tragic to lose all our best in hurricanes of excuse or mediocre efforts.

 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men.” 
— Colossians 3:23