Excuses. Excuses. Excuses. A lazy person is full of excuses. “I am overqualified.” “I am underqualified.” “That’s too challenging.” “That’s not challenging enough.” “I am waiting for the perfect job that perfectly fits my gifts and training.” It’s too hard, it’s too soft, it’s too hot, it’s too cold. Excuses. Excuses. Check out today’s proverb.

Proverbs 22:13
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”

“I can’t go out in the field and work today. I am sure a lion is outside just waiting to pounce on me!” “I can’t go to the shop today. I am certain that I will be murdered in the streets!” Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Many people want to do great things but are physically unable to do so. A great number of people would love to do great things but are held back by fear. And then there are the lazy ones …content to waste the precious gifts of time and talents with manufactured excuses.

The old commentator Matthew Henry provides this no-nonsense analysis, “[The sluggard] talks of a lion without, but considers not his real danger from the devil, that roaring lion, which is in bed with him, and from his own slothfulness, which kills him.”

Lord, may we never waste your gifts of time and talents with manufactured excuses.
For Jesus’ sake.
Amen.