The paint is flaking off the side of my home. It has been flaking for a long time. Too long.

Four months ago, I decided to repaint that wall. Another month passed before I got a paint chip and went to the paint store to match the paint. I returned home with all the necessary materials to paint the walls.

Another month went by. I still have all the paint supplies. I still know the wall need painting. I still see it every time I walk in my front door. So why isn’t the wall painted?

I had given myself excuse after excuse to delay the task. You’ve probably made the same lame excuses yourself at some time or other.

1. I have a lot of other things to do.

2. I need someone to help.

3. The weather is too hot.

4. I don’t know where to start.

5 -50. You can fill in more poor excuses from your own experience.

 I knew I had to paint the wall. All the lousy excuses started to make me feel guilty. None of the excuses listed above are reasons to wait over four months to get the job done. In reality, all were very weak excuses.

Of course, there are really good reasons for not getting a job done, but good reasons wouldn’t make me feel guilty.

I was only fooling myself.

God gives me chances to “paint the wall”, to be a “good” Christian every day. My pastor might ask me to help with a project. A sick member of the congregation might need or appreciate a visit. An emotionally distraught friend might need someone to just listen to them. Oh, so many chances to serve our Lord. Do we hear them? Do we answer them?

Has someone asked you to help with Vacation Bible School for example?

Too often members of the congregation are blind to the opportunities God gives them to serve Him. Or if they see those opportunities, do they give really lame excuses to God? Yes, there are some valid, good reasons, but they are far outnumbered by the lame ones.

Stop kidding yourself. If the task is important to you, someone else, (or even God) make it a top item on your “to do” list and get it done.

 I have a souvenir baseball cap from my alma mater, Rice University. Beneath the name was embroidered the phrase, “JUST DO IT.”

‘Nuff said.