Today’s SJDD podcast.
When Reason Serves Rebellion
Proverbs 22:13
“The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!’”
This one challenged me more than I expected.
The part that stood out wasn’t the laziness. It was how easily we can come up with reasons to justify what we already want to do.
The proverb isn’t really about lions. It’s about excuses.
The sluggard didn’t want to work, so his mind created a reason that sounded believable. That’s what hit me. Sometimes the biggest battle isn’t what’s happening around us. It’s being honest about what’s happening inside us.
I’ve noticed this in my own life. There are times when I know I should be doing something, making a phone call, having a hard conversation, working on a project, spending intentional time with Rebecca, or taking care of something I’ve been putting off. Instead of admitting I don’t feel like doing it, I’ll find a dozen reasons why “now isn’t the right time.”
And the scary part is those reasons can sound pretty convincing.
In our industry, we’re problem solvers by nature. We spend our lives analyzing situations and finding solutions. But if we’re not careful, that same ability can be used to justify things we know we should be addressing. We can become really good at explaining away what God is trying to expose.
Today’s devotion reminded me that sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is be brutally honest with ourselves.
Am I facing a real obstacle?
Or am I just talking about lions?
Prayer
Lord, help me be honest with myself. Show me where I’ve been making excuses instead of taking action. Expose the places where I’ve used good reasoning to avoid what You’ve called me to do. Give me the courage to face hard things, have difficult conversations, and be faithful in the responsibilities You’ve placed in front of me. Help me walk in truth, not excuses. Amen.
That’s a really good reminder and slap in the face, to be honest. I have caught myself having all the solid reasons to do things my way, when deep down I know it’s not His way. I usually know how I would “do it” and rarely slow down enough to listen or accept the way “He would do it”.
I pray that as I head out next week I make the time to pass on my way in exchange for His way, that I show His love instead of my ambition and walk in a manner that points others to Him through my actions or inactions. I pray this over all our brothers and sisters putting on the show while being the light in this dark world.