DECISIONS FOR IMPACT (4)

“‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to MAKE EXCUSES” – Luke 14:17b-18a

Making excuses is a major barrier and obstacle to making valuable DECISIONS for IMPACT: “Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to MAKE EXCUSES” (Lk.14:16-18a). Here, our Lord Jesus Christ told a parable about a banquet invitation where people made excuses – buying a field, oxen, or being newly married – to avoid attending. This illustrates how excuses can be used to avoid commitment, even to something good like a spiritual invitation. 

It’s natural for many human beings to make excuses. Yet, this is not a good thing to do. Some people make excuses when things don’t turn out as they had expected. Others make excuses while neglecting to take responsibility for the circumstances of their lives. Others still, make excuses to explain away why they didn’t, couldn’t, shouldn’t, or simply wouldn’t do something! These are signs of a life of excuses, in contrast to living to one’s full potential. Excuses prevent one from reaching full potential. Benjamin Franklin said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Florence Nightingale testified: “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” Fear is one fundamental cause for making excuses.

There are many reasons why people make excuses, but it’s basically due to fear of: change, failure, embarrassment, making mistakes, responsibility, scrutiny of family, friends, or peers, success, uncertainty, or vulnerability. Some people, out of self-preservation, make up a lame excuse to avoid attending an event. People also make excuses for bad behaviour, bad attitudes, and not getting a task done on time. Some people don’t have enough confidence in themselves or lack resources. Examples of excuses are: “I don’t have time right now”; “Now is not the right time”; “I will get to it later” (procrastination); “It’s not my fault” (playing blame game); “Someone else will do it” (passing the buck); “I’m too scared”; or “It’s too hard” (laziness).

In Luke’s parable, the privileged invitees made excuses about business (profession), property (possession), and marriage (pleasure) – all legitimate but not expedient! The host, angered by the refusal of the initial invitees, ordered his servants to bring in the poor, crippled, blind, and lame, and to still compel others to fill up his house (vv.21-23). Decisions or lack thereof, can have either great or grave consequences. The host declared that none of the initial invitees would taste the banquet. People’s excuses may provide a sense of self-care or self-protection, but such are the biggest losers!

God does not want to hear excuses. Making excuses can lead to missing out on opportunities. Excuses are barriers to spiritual growth and obstacles to obedience and commitment. Beloved, let’s choose making Decisions for Impact, over Excuses.