What's Your Excuse?

Today's excerpt from Tom Wright's book "Lent For Everyone - Luke" for our Lent reading today re Luke 9:37-62.

So: what's your excuse?

One of my students once gave me, as a present, a book called something like The Penguin Book of Excuses. It was supposed to remind me of all the times when he turned up late, or not handed an essay in on time, and had come up with more and more wonderful 'reasons' for why things hadn't worked out.

Sooner or later, most of us who know in our heart of hearts we want to follow Jesus find ourselves coming up with excuses as to why his particularly sharp demands don't really apply to us.

God knows we're human and need a rhythm of rest and refreshment. But God also knows, and Jesus obviously knew, that once we start down that road it's easy to make exceptions to all the rules when it comes to our own case. So the demand goes out. Now in this way, now in that way, Jesus is saying, 'Look! This is God's kingdom we're talking about, not a comfortable way of being religious that will let you settle down and take life at your own pace!' Are you up for that?

Yes, I know: those were special circumstances. Jesus' public career was short, and he needed people to t get on with the job at once. And yes, many of us are called to get into a longer-term mode, not to burn out with frenetic activity in a short spirit. But, again, you can't use that as an excuse for avoiding the sharp edges of God's call. Jesus never said, 'Come with me and all your happiest dreams will be fulfilled.' He said, 'Take up your cross and follow me.' Don't expect an easy time: having nowhere to call 'home' may come with the job. Don't expect that you will be able to fulfill all your social obligations: 'burying your father', whether literally or metaphorically, was one of the highest obligations in Jewish society, and Jesus says that the demands of the kingdom come before it.

And finally, plough a straight furrow. Looking back to see whether it's been straight so far will guarantee that the next bit won't be.

Today - Talk to God about the excuses you make to him. Ask him ot help you to follow him wherever he leads, and to give you the strength not to look back.