How Big Is Your “But?”

I bet that title caught your attention!  🙂

It’s a good question, though.  One we need to ask ourselves, because I believe we all struggle with big “buts.”  And yes, some have bigger “buts” than others, but we all have… big “buts.”

The “buts” I’m talking about are, essentially, the excuses we use to stay in our worlds of comfort rather than step out and do what God is asking of us.  It’s when we choose to stay in our complacent, predictable, safe lives… which renders us ineffective for the Kingdom.

Struggling to relate?  See if any of these ring true.

• I’d love to lead a Bible study… BUT… I don’t feel qualified.
• I feel prompted to help that ministry financially… BUT… we need to replace our carpet instead.
• Wow, I’d love to take that mission trip… BUT… I should save my money and vacation time for family trips.
• I think God is wanting me to take a leap of faith… BUT… I could be wrong.  Better safe than sorry!
• My church desperately needs volunteers… BUT… I like having my free time.
• I should bring her family a meal… BUT… I’m not really a confident cook.
• I’d like to trust these friends with my heart… BUT… I don’t want to get hurt again.
  

Anyone with me?

Sometimes I find it’s easier to stay on the sidelines because the risk is minimal and the effort little.  There are times I’m just tired and weary.  Overwhelmed with my calendar.  Selfish with my time and energy.  I feel I don’t have what it takes to effectively fight.  Others times, I lack that burning desire to jump back into battle.

In all honesty, it’s just easier to live in the shallows rather than tread deeper waters.

• We can fly under the radar.
• Little is expected of us.
• We don’t pose much of a threat to the Enemy.

But that isn’t God’s will for us.

You see, He wants us to be lights in this dark world (Matthew 5:14).  And we can’t do that effectively when we have big “buts.”  Nope.  We need to have more of Him in our lives so we can offer more of Him to others.

And we get more of Him by just saying “yes” when He asks something from us.

• Can it be scary?  Yes.
• Can it be hard and uncomfortable?  Yes.
• Can it make us unpopular?  Yes.

But when we do it anyway, we become fruitful.

And when our diet becomes steady on His fruit, our “buts” becomes less because we become more like Him.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.“  (Galatians 5:22-23)

Sisters, I don’t want to be known for my “but.”  Instead, I want to be known for my fruit.

What about you?

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