Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’” Luke 14:16-20 NLT
Have you noticed when we get an invitation that we aren’t sure we want to enthusiastically receive, “reasons” quickly come to mind that it should make our answer be understandably “no”? We offer excuses that may sound good as we say it, we may express regret, but often the truth makes our “reasons” lame and transparent excuses.
Jesus’ listeners understood that as they heard His story. Possessions and the security they offer are important. Our work and careers are significant concerns. And of course, relationships are incredibly central, especially those within our family and close circle. None of the excuses offered were about bad things. But neither were any of them pressing. The problem was that good things were easily and immediately leveraged to say “no” to an invitation. They allowed good things to dictate their availability instead of truly considering the invitation or the one who issued the invitation.
Every quick answer we give to an invitation reveals what’s most important to us at that moment. Like it was for the people in the story, the banquet is ready. What God has for us is prepared, but then the excuses that sound like good reasons to us begin. In the light of what God wants to do for us, our reasons may not be sinful, but they are exceedingly hollow and short-term. Our lame excuses are sometimes simply a cover thrown quickly over our comfort zone. We often would rather stay in the comfort of where we are than step into the vulnerability of a new opportunity or answer the call of God to a close walk. Our lame excuses may be an unconscious admission that we are prioritizing second things instead of listening to God’s voice, which should always take priority. C. S Lewis said that our excuses are how we show we expect God to accept our “buts” or “I was justs” instead of responding with real obedience.
When I offer excuses instead of truly acknowledging the invitation, it’s quite possible the only one who believes me is me. God doesn’t.
- God, as I respond to invitations, help me be truly honest with You. Help me consider what is being offered or asked, and then do what You would have me do.