I hope someone sees this mess and does something about it. What are the authorities doing about these homeless people? I am focusing on my growth right now. Self love you know. I am so young. I already had plans for this money, I cannot use it for this cause. This can wait a little longer. There is still time. I am too sinful. I will do it when I get married or when I have kids. I do not have the resources right now. I feel so tired. I am just a student. I am not skilled enough for this. I do not have the resources. I grew up elokitshini. My parents passed on whilst I was still young. I am not good enough. I am afraid of what others will say about me. What do I get in return? I had a miscarriage. I lost everything. Where do I even start?
What is your excuse?
Paul. I have worked hard. Been put in prison more often. Been whipped times without number. Faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities. In the deserts. On the seas. I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long. Enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty. I have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold. Without enough clothing to keep me warm. Ruth. I left my family behind. David. I was just a shepherd boy. Esther. I was an orphan. Peter. I was just a fisherman. Shunamite woman. I was a widow. Sarah. I was an old woman. Gideon. I was the least in my father’s house. Samson. I was blind. Josiah. I was eight years old. Hannah. I was barren.
What is your excuse?
By faith the people who went before us overthrew kingdoms. Ruled with justice and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions. Quenched the flames of fire. Escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle. Put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. Others were tortured/ Refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at. Had their backs cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning. Some were sawed in half. Some were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats. Destitute. Oppressed. Mistreated.
We are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith. Let us strip off every weight that slows us down. Especially the sin that so easily trips us up. Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus. The champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
What is your excuse my darling?