Is there something in life that you use to keep you from being your very best?
Believe me, I am the master of excuses! I can think of more things to use for reasons not to reach my goals. ‘When have I had the time?’ is one of my favorites. ‘I can’t afford to do what I am supposed to do,’ is another good one. I have to get this job done first, but somehow that job never gets done. Or, when I feel better, or lose weight, get out of the bottle, or off drugs, or get a better job. The list goes on and on. The truth of the matter is some of us like to complain and use excuses more than we like getting things done. As long as we have an excuse, we don’t have to accomplish anything. Lower expectations, should be a popular song, for it is the theme song for many of us. Did you realize that God has given us everything we need for success? The only thing keeping us from reaching our goals is ourselves! What are we thinking? Why are we willing to use crutches to let opportunities and happiness pass us by? I have what I need, some of you say. Are you using that as a crutch? It is easier to make an excuse than an effort. God said, ‘ask anything in faith and you will receive it’. We are robbing ourselves, through our lack of faith, from succeeding and having everything we want? Is there a catch? Yes, believing, really believing, and living what you believe. NO CRUTCHES!!!
As parents we need to teach our children all good things come from God. That working for the Lord will garner rewards, both here and in heaven. But the rewards should not be their goal, but a long and happy life for Christ should be. Teach them that they can do anything through Christ who will give them strength! (Phil 4:13) Don’t let them develop the habit or using excuses or crutches.
We as writers begin the journey of some of our characters in the throes of addiction or poverty. It is to their credit when they win the battle against crutches and excuses to achieve their goals of a better life.
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Peter 1:2-10