Making excuses is a natural way we avoid uncomfortable conversations, feelings, and responsibility. People give lots of excuses why they don’t take their spiritual lives seriously. Some are legitimate reasons why some are simply excuses: I am just too tired to pray or read the bible, I am too occupied with care for the kids, I feel the need to get it right with God before I can pray or go to church, I feel emptiness because I am not being fed with the Word of God, Church people are too judgemental and hypocritical, churches have turned to business centres- they just want my money and don’t care about my soul, etc.
Being unserious with your spiritual life is an effect of something negative whether it’s sin, difficult circumstances, or something else entirely. However, you can always choose to overcome this by changing your mindset about your faith. If you want to learn how to do this continue reading slowly….
Cf. Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully.
They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
Child of God the conversion story of Zacchaeus is laden with twists that touches on core aspects of the spiritual life whether as believer or non-believer, sinner or righteous!
The first twist is the identity of Zacchaeus. The name Zacchaeus in Hebrew means ‘pure’ or ‘clean’, but the bearer was a ‘sinner’ who got wealthy by extorting others as tax collectors. The second is that the meaning of his name is reminiscent of the teaching of Jesus: “blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God” (Matt 5:8). But Zacchaeus despite the defects and barriers before him (both physical and spiritual) not only sees God, he experiences God! He climbed a sycamore tree to overcome the barrier of height, he stood firm to resist the dissuading crowd, and overcame sin by welcoming salvation into his home!
How to overcome Spiritual Laziness
1. Stop making excuses:
Making excuses is normal when necessary. But if it begins to interfere with your spiritual life and prevent you from reaching your goals, you have to stop. Capitalising on the obstacles around you as reasons to stop praying, going to church and caring for your spiritual life is disservice to your life. Don’t you realise your negative words and flimsy excuses can become flesh and start manifesting in your life? Zacchaeus had enough obstacles to resist salvation: his height, his status in the society, the jeering crowd, but the bible says “He stood his ground.” Are you ready to stand your ground now?
2. Take responsibility:
To make spiritual progress you must always realize that you alone control your destiny by your cooperation or not with the grace of God. Whatever has happened in the past does not equal the future unless you decide to live there. No matter what has happened to you in the past, your future is up to you. Zacchaeus takes up responsibility of his future by leaving behind his evil past. He accepts salvation and makes restitution for his past. Are you ready to leave behind your past negative experiences and sins, focus on your salvation now and take responsibility? This is more important.
TASK
Child of God, impossibility is a reality that exists only in our minds, but with God all things are possible! Stop making excuses for your spiritual laziness today and pray you will not be found giving flimsy excuses at the visitation and manifestation of your salvation.
I Pray for you:
May the Lord be gracious and bless you!
For the sake of Zacchaeus, Jesus stopped and paused his journey to Jerusalem. Therefore I declare: the power of God will spot you and from your bondages, liberate you now!
May no flimsy excuses prevent you from encountering your salvation and the manifestation of your glory and miracle, in Jesus name. Amen.
Yes I found it uplifting. Thank you father for this reflection. God has used you to address the situations of most of us. I have resolved to follow your candid spiritual direction.
Happy Sunday father
Very fulfilling and uplifting!