Excuses are always ready.

Scripture:
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” John 5:6-8 (NIV)

Application:
I can almost hear the Lord Jesus interrupting the whiner: “[Shut up and] Get up!”
Has Jesus said the same to all of us?

Absolutely.

It’s easier for us to rattle off reasons why we’ll fail than how we will succeed. When we find ourselves reciting excuses, there’s only one thing to do:

Shut Up! (and then get to work!)


Prayer:
Father, I really do believe I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). Please remind me of this the instant I begin whining about my disadvantages. In You, there’s success for me and those whom I can help. Amen.