My husband and I have a big board in our room that has our daily priorities listed. This way we are reminded of what we need to do each day when we wake up and when we go to bed. Our list of priorities is simple:

1. Read Bible
2. Sing spiritual songs
3. Pray

Nevertheless, there are some days when our list of priorities does not seem so simple for me and I start making excuses why I cannot do what I committed to do each day. I know my faith is not to be a check list, but I justify not doing the things I committed to do because: “I am too busy,” “I am too tired,” “I do not know how to multi-task,” and even, “I do not feel good enough.”

As I read my Bible, the book of Exodus describes the excuses Moses made when God told him he was the one who was going to lead the sons of Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land:

1. But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11).
2. Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:13).
3. Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you’” (Exodus 4:1).
4. Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10).

Although there is a lot to respect about Moses, I hate to admit I make too many excuses to do what I know is pleasing to God just like Moses did. I do not want a faith that is made up of excuses, but a faith that welcomes every opportunity to be spiritual and a faith that does not change to fit daily circumstances.

When I think of the faith I would like to have, I think of Abraham. The book of Genesis says God told Abraham to offer his only son as a burnt offering (Genesis 22:2). Abraham did what God told him without question and without excuse and even rose early in the morning to do what God told him to do.

After thinking about these things, I know I am missing out on so many blessings when I make excuses not to do what I know is pleasing to God, even if it is small, in comparison to Abraham and Moses. It is me that hinders my own faith to grow when I make excuses of why I cannot give God the time He deserves every day. Nevertheless, with discipline and perseverance I know I can change and hope the same for every Christian. I cannot imagine how powerful the church would be if we all quit making excuses. So what are we waiting for, church? What is your excuse?

By Kerstin Allison
Kerstin and her husband Britton were sent by the North MacArthur church of Christ to work with the Central Avenue Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  They have committed to encourage the Christians there and to evangelize to the lost souls in the community there. Kerstin works as a nurse and has recently earned her R.N. degree.