Overcoming Excuses

In a world increasingly filled with excuses, it appears that people are often trying to defend or justify their actions, lessening the blame, and making apologies for what they've said or done. Excuses are something we all have and use, yet, many of our heroes in the Bible overcame their excuses and were greatly used by God.

It's been said that "excuses destroy success every time." When God is seeking to accomplish something, He's looking for willing hearts, not for those full of excuses.

Here are 3 common excuses for not serving the Lord:

1. "I'm too old, I've done my share of ministry in the past, it's time for a younger person to take my place."
2. "I don’t have the necessary abilities or talents to be used by the Lord effectively in His kingdom. I have a significant area of weakness that prevents me from being used by the Lord."
3. "I'd consider getting involved in ministry, but I don't have the right training and equipment."
   

Interestingly, each of the first few judges in the Old Testament book of Judges  had one of these excuses for not stepping up.

The very first judge we read about in Judges 3, Othniel, was a mature man, possibly in his 60s or 70s when he stepped up to lead Israel against the King of Aram. At an age when most are looking to slow down, Othniel, empowered by God's Spirit, led Israel to 40 years of peace under his leadership. Othniel demonstrates that age is not a good excuse to stop serving the Lord.

The second judge, Ehud, was left-handed by default. Perhaps he was born with a deformed right hand, or it might have been injured. Regardless, God chose Ehud, who could have seen his physical condition as a handicap or a disqualification, to serve as a judge. In spite of his disability, Ehud was used powerfully by the Lord to bring victory and peace for eighty years. The key here is that Ehud didn't allow his weakness to be an excuse. When we are feeling weak and humble, that's when God can do His most powerful work. Ehud didn't allow his disability to be his excuse for not serving the Lord. He understood that God was working through him to bring victory over the Moabites.

Here's the point: the Judges of the Old Testament, like Othniel and Ehud, teach us invaluable lessons about not letting excuses get in the way of serving God. Whether it's age or physical disability, God's power is not hindered. He's looking for willing hearts to accomplish His will.

So let's not let excuses prevent us from being used greatly by God. Instead, let's commit to serving Him in all circumstances, knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness!