EXCUSE MY EXCUSE

This week I was reading an article by Lifeway and came across a heart-breaking statistic “The survey also asked how many times they have personally, “invited an unchurched person to attend a church service or some other program at your church?” Nearly half (48 percent) of church attendees responded, ‘zero.’ (Source: Lifeway Article)”

I wonder why it is so hard for us to ask people to church but more importantly, to share our faith. When put in perspective, it makes no sense to be timid or scared of what could potentially save someone’s soul. Yet, we decide that it can wait, or if it is meant to happen, God will give me another chance.

Esther is a story about a Jewish woman and her uncle Mordecai. Esther had just won the King’s beauty pageant and was exalted to the king’s side as queen. Mordecai, on the other hand, was facing death against the king’s right-hand man, Haman. Not only was Mordecai in danger, but so were all the Jews in Persia. After hearing the news about the destruction of the Jews, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on a sackcloth. Esther tried to comfort him and sent him clothes, but he did not accept them. Esther knew she would have to face the king about the decree to kill her people. So in order to build her courage, Mordecai sent this message, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house, you alone, of all the Jews, will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14). 

Before looking at what Esther did, let’s look at what she didn’t do. She didn’t blame her circumstances and fall into a pit of sorrow. She didn’t conceal her secret of being a Jew and allow her people to die. She didn’t run from the problem and act like it never existed.

She took it upon herself to change the situation in order to change and save lives. Isn’t that what we are called to do everyday?

Esther wasn’t perfect. In fact, she disobeyed the Torah multiple times in her book. Yet, God still used her to save God’s people. All God needs is your faithfulness to make a difference in the world around you.

If you proclaim to love God, there is no excuse to be faithful to the call God has given you. God is trustworthy. He is willing to excuse your excuses, to help you realize that He can handle the situation you are in. We must get into the practice of trusting God to provide where we are. Mordecai was threatened in the story of Esther, yet, he was steadfast to trust God with his life. He persuaded Esther to risk her life because Mordecai believed that if she didn’t do it, then God would raise someone else to deliver them.

Hold onto Jesus when pain, suffering, and hate crawl towards you. You have to give Him your circumstance before He can redeem it for His purpose. Stay bold. Stay courageous. Trust will lead you to God’s plan.

Let God redeem your excuses and turn them into trust. 

I am praying for you but if you would like me to pray for something specific then leave the request on the Contact page. If you have a message that God wants you to share, then visit the Guest Posting page.