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BUT OUT

Yes, I realize that the usual phrase “butt out” is spelled with two “t”s, but my misspelling is intentional.  So often we have used the word but in our sentences.  Even after I was thinking this last night, my husband caught me in the act multiple times.

I want to do this, but…

I would find time to serve the poor, but…
I would call her, but…
I would find time to read the Bible every day, but…

Fill in the blanks.  It is easy to say I would or I should do something and then justify why we are not doing it.  Our lives take precedence over everything and we justify not having time to do this or that.  I know that I do.  Sometimes the word but is very useful, it helps us stay on the straight and narrow path.  But lets look at it in our spiritual life.  Lets look at the but in our walks with God. 

There isn’t always a black and white answer to everything in the Bible.  Sometimes there are shades of gray that we must dive deeper into the scriptures to discover the true meaning of.  Some things are very black and white, like the 10 commandments.  The scripture that really stuck out to me today was from John

John 21:15-17:

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’
‘Yes Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you,’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of Jon, do you truly love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’
He said “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.’” (NIV)

Simon Peter could have said, “Yes Lord, you know I love you, but it isn’t cool to love you.  The people are making fun of me and I don’t want to die.”  He could have said, “Lord, you know that I love you, but I denied you because I was scared.”  But he didn’t, he answered with no buts.  And Jesus gave him specific instructions. 

Do we love God?  Do we want to follow Him even if it means going to our deaths?  Do we put a big but in the middle of our love for God?  Do you (as I do) justify our failures in serving Him with a big but?  Because friends, I can assure you, God doesn’t like big buts…

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