"Reason"

Have you found a reason,

Or still make some excuse,

Why you can’t live for Jesus,

Let Him put you to use.

I bet I’ve prolly heard it,

If not seen it all,

And I’ve dreamed up some doosies,

When I heard Him call.

Like I’m not good at talkin’,

And what if someone asks,

Something I can’t answer,

I’m better doing tasks.

But what if while I’m doing,

Something that I should,

I come along and blow it,

You know me, so I could.

And then I’d do some damage,

I’d be a hypocrite,

I could be the reason,

Someone ups and quits.

Plus I am just so busy,

With all I’ve got to do,

My job and work and family,

Keep me tied up, it’s true.

I’ve said I wasn’t old enough,

And later said too old,

I’ve  said I didn’t really care,

My heart was too damn cold.

I’ve said I had no money,

So I couldn’t really give,

I’ve said I had no energy,

So I couldn’t really live.

 For all the Savior wanted,

Me to do and be,

I’ve ended up a-wishin’,

For more time, don’t you see.

But why should Jesus give it,

If I spend it all on me,

When I was called and destined,

To call men to be free.

So find yourself a reason,

Christ died and rose again,

For me and you and everyone,

Let’s go, why not begin.

But if you do not really want,

To do what He says do,

It doesn’t really matter why,

Pick any old excuse.

“Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God…” (Luke 9:62, NLT)

Jesus was no stranger to those who made excuses. He even encouraged people to count the cost of being His disciple. He wanted them to make sure they really meant business, but then never look back. Looking back and longing for what you’ve sacrificed is not the way forward for anybody. The happiest, most joyful and power-filled Christians I know don’t feel like they’ve sacrificed much to follow Jesus. Some of these people have given up virtually everything materially and financially, yet they don’t feel they have. Why? I think it’s because it has been so worth it for them. The righteousness, peace, and joy of God’s Kingdom far outweighs any sacrifice they had to make. It’s how it should be for all of us.

Lord, help us never look back, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mary Ross Buchholz, maryrossbuchholz.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mary, and God bless you.