Excuses, Excuses, you hear them every day. The dictionary defines excuse as a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise. I am amazed at the excuses we come up with to justify our behavior or lack of action. As a Mom, Department Manager and Pastor’s wife, I think I have heard every excuse in the book, but a new one pops up every now and then. One of my favorite excuses for not being at church is, “I had to stay home and put the groceries away.” Of course, my kids would have cleaned their room, made their bed, etc. but they were going to mess it up again anyway. As Phil used to say, “Mom, I really want to want to!” If you think about that one for a minute, the meaning will become crystal clear. My granddaughter, Mackenzie is at least honest with her excuse, “But Dad I don’t want to.”
Yesterday was the first Monday after New Year’s Day. Is it a significant day? Not really, but I call it “No Excuses Monday.” All of the excuses for why we cannot start making changes in our lives expire on this day. It is a new year, a new month, a new week; mentally it is the perfect day of the year to begin your makeover. Want to lose weight? NO EXCUSES! Want to rid yourself of a bad habit? NO EXCUSES! Want to read your Bible more? NO EXCUSES! Want to show more love and compassion? NO EXCUSES!
The Bible is clear about TODAY. It tells us today is the day of salvation, NO EXCUSES! We are not promised tomorrow, NO EXCUSES! We are to work while it is day, NO EXCUSES! For knowing the time, it is high time to wake from our sleep, Romans 13:11, NO EXCUSES!
If you’ve been dreaming about a new body and a healthier lifestyle, START TODAY. That neighbor you need to witness to, needs God TODAY. The problem that has been nagging at you over the last few months, give it to God TODAY. That nasty habit that has you bound, stop TODAY. It may be Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, but make this your NO EXCUSE DAY. Move into your new life of freedom from wanting to want, you will wonder what took so long.
