Eliminate The Excuses

Expect something big for yourself. Dream bigger. Desire better. You get to decide how you want your life to look.  Opportunities will present themselves, and you can either choose to make excuses for not doing it or decide enough is enough and go for it.   

Really, what’s the worst that can happen? Failure? Rejection? Do either of those things create a worse situation than the one you are already in? What if you succeed?  

Recently, an opportunity presented itself to me. At first, I wasn’t going to apply. But then I felt a nudge, and a question went through my mind: “Why would they say no?” I had this question asked of me a couple of weeks prior, so the repeat of the nudge and the question made me pause and take notice.   

I began to tell God why the person offering the opportunity might say no. Once I finished giving God all the reasons, I applied for the position and told God, “This is in Your hands. If You want me there, You do it. I’ve done my part.”   Within hours, I received a letter of acceptance with a list of requirements. As I read the list, I began counting myself out because I didn’t have the necessary items. Notice I counted myself out. They didn’t. God didn’t. I did.   

However, if I’m partnering with God and He gave me what I need, then it must be true that He knew I would be in this position at this time, at this moment, on this day (Psalm 139:13-16).   

It felt like a Moses moment (Exodus 4:1-4). My conversation with God went a little like this:  

Me: I need all of this? Did You bring me this far only for me to have to inform them I can’t do it?

God: What is that in your hand?  

Me: How do you expect me to do this when I don’t have x, y, and z? 

God: You are creative.  

Me: That’s it? That’s all You’re going to say - I’m creative? Great.  

I sat feeling overwhelmed, perplexed, terrified, and excited. Now, I had to decide. I could use what was in my hand and create what I needed to move forward or choose to forfeit the door God had opened for me.  I wasn’t about to shut the door. I wanted to know where it leads!   What’s in my hand may not look like I think it should or like what others have. Still, it’s what I have, and I’m choosing to use it.  

When an opportunity presents itself, don’t be too quick to dismiss it. Don’t get caught in the trap of why you can’t do something. If you need to, talk to God about why you might not be accepted.  When the door opens, you may have to piece together what you have to create what is required. Remember, God has already given you what you need for the next step. 

It’s time to eliminate the excuses. They aren’t serving you. You’ve been serving them.  You have what you need, and you have the power to choose. No one else can decide for you. Why not go for it? Don’t let excuses keep you from pursuing opportunities.