Thouoght for the Day - Friday 24 July

Thought for the Day – Friday 24^th July

‘Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot

come.’ So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’” (Luke 14: 16-24)

Lots of excuses in this passage today! Lots of promises broken! One great consequence of not keeping that promise! Lots for us to think about when making a promise and the need to honour that promise!

As it is Friday when we are a little more light-hearted in our thoughts, I thought I would give you some excuses I found in a book! These are actual excuses taken from car insurance claims or from school absence notes – enjoy!

An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle, and then vanished.

The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran over him.

I was thrown from my car as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by some stray cows.

I collided with a stationary vehicle coming the other way.

Coming home I drove into the wrong house and drove into a tree I don’t have.

The telephone pole was approaching fast. I attempted to swerve out of its path when it struck my front end.

I had been driving for forty years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.

Please excuse Danny for being, it was his father’s fault.

My son is under a doctor’s care and could not take PE yesterday. Please execute him.

Wow, if we executed all those who dodge PE there may not be too many left to take PE!

Anyway, it may have been good to enjoy these few excuses but remember this passage is telling us for us as Christians it is not so good to make excuses for there will definitely be consequences!

Prayer

Loving Lord,

Hospitality does not always come easily, there are often so many other things to do, important things, responsibilities that get in the way of our best intentions. Lord, give us eyes to always see the possibilities to serve you, the will to not make excuses and a heart big enough to make room for someone else. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Friday Fun Time:

Here are your questions and challenges for today!

1. What’s your favourite excuse to use to avoid having to do something?

2. List five excuses you’ve made, the times you made them and if there were any consequences for

     you in making them.

3. What’s the most pathetic excuse you’ve heard?

4. How do you tell when someone is making an excuse to you?

5. Is there anything which you dread being asked to do and for which you would think up an

    excuse?