Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Excuse Me!

Have you ever wondered what people from past generations would think about society today? Do you think they'd be puzzled that now we pay to exercise at a gym rather than get it while working on the farm? Do you think they'd scratch their heads that we communicate electronically rather than with pen and paper? Would they be shocked that we can browse, shop and even pay online, without ever leaving the house? Do you think they'd be amazed at how we keep up with folks on the other side of the world but we don't even know our neighbors? Would it surpise them to learn that we can get an education, a college degree from the comfort of our own home? Do you think their jaws would drop when they entered a church building with coffebars and powerpoint and sound systems? I am amazed at how much we have, how many things we have, each designed to make our lives easier and allow us to do tasks faster and better----more efficiently. We have gadgets to make us smarter, drinks and memberships and machines to make us stronger, doodads to give us more time, thingamagigs to make us more mobile and enhance our communication.

Ideally, we should be stronger, faster and smarter, (or at least more educated) than past generations. We have more time, more energy, more money and more resources. So why do we make excuses about serving the Lord and keeping His commandments? How can we say we are "too tired" to go to worship? How can we say we'd be happy to participate but we just don't have the time? How can we say, we don't know how? Are we timid or lazy? If we are lazy, there is only one solution--STOP IT! Repent and get to work, the only true cure for laziness. If we are truly timid, we can increase our faith by looking at some examples in the Word.

Given all the advances of our society, these seem like nothing more than excuses. As a preacher's wife, I hear lots of excuses. You know the ones:
  • "I was going to come to church but I didn't hear my alarm go off" "I had a horrible headache" "My family was in town and they don't believe in church"
  • "I would teach a class but I am not really good with kids" "I am going to be gone alot this summer" "I used to teach all the time and I just need a break"
  • "I would like to convert someone but all of my friends are happy with their own faith" "I don't really know enough bible to teach someone else" "I hate to come off like a religious fanatic"

Sometimes excuses are so frustrating. Mine included. Looking back, I let excuses keep me from doing lots of good things. Things I know would have resulted in blessings for me and others. God has given me so much, He promises me He will not fail me, He will not leave me. He gives me power in His word, power in His church, power in His Spirit. Those are better than all the high tech gadgets and much more effective. And so I wonder, what would it take in this age of high tech, in the age of faster, stronger, smarter, to make us wake up and take the opportunities that come knocking everyday? What will it take? Think about the missed opportunities in your own life. Are there any? Are there many? What will it take for all of us to stop being "excuse me" people and become "git r done " people? We are robbing ourselves and crippling God's ability to bless us when we become so self-involved that we become uninvolved. There is an entire world out there waiting to know Jesus. There is an entire church family, longing to grow with us. Thre is Lord and Master sending us opportunity after opportunity. Why aren't we taking them? When God is with us, we truly have no excuse.

Peace
Neva

21 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hope this doesn't sound arrogant or egotistical because it isn't meant that way.

I have finally started seeing God's children the way He does:
'As gullible as sheep and as organized as chickens in a yard.'

The sad thing is they have a Shepherd and One who is willing to be their mother hen.

6:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This one goes along with your do-over post. I am glad even when we make excuses and mess up, God gives us second chances.
Glad you are back.

Pat

7:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you really want to hear some good excuses, you should be in youth ministry.

Dan

7:54 AM  
Blogger Monalea said...

Neva,

I know you are surprised to hear this, but sometimes I struggle with excuses. I agree with Pat, I'm glad God gives me second chances.

Good post!

Monalea

9:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I bet God gets tired of our excuses too.


Carlos

11:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praise God for his mercy --May he help us to be people of our word and people who do what he says.

Good thoughts

Rachel

11:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh well, this just hit the point - thanks for the reminder!

Helen

11:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I could almost cry when I think of all the missed opportunities. Everyday I ask God to help me see them and to act on them.
Thanks Neva

Corinne

11:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There are so many opportunities and so many excuses, maybe that is why there are so few new converts.

hmmm...

Shari

12:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We had a speaker from Benin, West Africa last night. He hit the nail on the head when he said that he's not surprised to hear people in Africa say that they are not Christians because there are so few Christians to teach but he said it is shocking to him to hear people in America say they are not Christians when there should be so many teachers. Sad, isn't it.

Paula

12:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen!


Dean

3:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,

I thought you were talking about me for a second. I am in awe of all of the sophisticated gadgets surrounding us. Could it be possible that these are the distractions keeping us from what is truly important? Our lives are no longer simple, as they were 30 years ago. We have filled them with so much meaningless stuff.
I'm with you. We need to pray for the church to return to what is truly important, God's word and the saving of souls. Period.
Loved your post.

10:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
I get so tired of excuses and then I find myself making them. Lord, give me more faith.


Yvonne

9:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

good post Neva

Jean

12:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No more excuses!

Mary

1:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

IMO, there is no excuse for christians who are so lazy they make excuses not to serve God. It is pathetic.

Interested Bystander

2:14 PM  
Blogger The Preacher's Household: said...

It is funny, this week's embarrassing post was going to be about excuses. I am afraid to say that for many excuses I have not been able to finish it yet so I have to post the one I already have written.
Excuse me too.
Kathy

7:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sometimes I make excuses and find I need to repent and sometimes I make excuses to not repent. it is shameful and I really need to work on that.

Jeneane

9:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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9:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excuses are so much different that reasons. When there are reasons we dont do something we should not feel guilty at all, God understands. But excuses are just plain old wrong.

Lyndsay

5:45 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

You are so right! I make many excuses myself. I love all of your reminders, including this one today.

10:05 PM  

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