No Excuses
- Heather Bradley
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
“No Excuses: Saying Yes to Jesus in the New Year” (Luke 14:16–24)
Scripture (Luke 14:16–24):Jesus told them: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests… But they all alike began to make excuses…” (paraphrase)
There’s something about the new year that makes us reflective. We think about what we want to change, what we want to leave behind, what we’re hoping will be different.
And if we’re honest… a lot of us want change spiritually, too.
We want to pray more.We want to be consistent.We want to read the Word and actually live it.We want to feel close to Jesus again.
But then real life shows up… and the excuses show up.
The problem isn’t that we don’t love Jesus
It’s that we get pulled into loving “good reasons” more than we love obedience.
That’s what makes Luke 14:16–24 so personal.
Jesus tells a story about a man preparing a great banquet—table set, food ready, invitation sent. It’s not a boring invitation. It’s not a religious obligation. It’s a feast.
And yet the invited guests respond with excuses.
One says they bought a field and need to go see it.Another says they bought oxen and need to test them.Another says family life happened.
Again—none of those things are automatically sinful. They’re just… life.
But that’s the point.
Excuses don’t usually come dressed as rebellion.They come dressed as responsibility. Distraction. Overwhelm. Timing. “Later.”
And slowly, subtly, we start treating Jesus like an optional add-on rather than the center.
Jesus is inviting you—right now
Here’s the part that gets me: the message from the servant is simple—“Come, for everything is now ready.”
Not “come once you get it together.”Not “come when you’re less tired.”Not “come after life calms down.”Come now.
The Kingdom of God isn’t an invitation to do more striving. It’s an invitation to receive—and then let that receiving transform the way we live.
Jesus isn’t asking for your excuses. He’s asking for your yes.
What excuses show up every year?
Let’s just name a few that love to show up with us in January:
“I’ll start when I feel motivated.”
“This season is too busy.”
“I don’t know enough.”
“I’ve failed before.”
“I’m too tired.”
“I’ll get serious later.”
But what if this year isn’t about a huge spiritual makeover…What if it’s simply about making room?
Because when we keep delaying, we’re not just postponing a habit…We’re postponing intimacy.
The invitation is a gift—don’t treat it like a suggestion
This parable carries weight because it shows us something true:Repeated excuses lead to disobedience.
Not always loudly.Sometimes quietly.Sometimes politely.
But Jesus’ story makes it clear: the invitation is real, and our response matters.
And the encouraging part is this: Jesus keeps extending the invitation outward. He goes after the overlooked. The distracted. The unqualified. The ones who didn’t think they’d ever be included.
Which means if you feel like you’ve been on the excuse-train for a while… you’re not disqualified.
You’re being invited—again.
A simple new year prayer: “Jesus, I’m in”
Not “Jesus, I’ll try harder.”Not “Jesus, I’ll do better.”Just:“Jesus, I’m in.”
That’s the kind of yes that changes everything.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for inviting me, not because I’ve earned it, but because You’re good. I confess that I’ve made excuses—some out of fear, some out of busyness, some out of weariness. This year, I don’t want to live halfway. I want to be all in. Give me grace to respond quickly, humbly, and fully when You call. Amen.
Action steps for “No Excuses” faith
Identify your main excuse.
Write it down exactly as it shows up in your head.
Replace it with a yes.
Example: “I’m too busy” → “Jesus, You’re worth my time.”
Pick one daily anchor habit (10 minutes).
5 minutes in the Word
3 minutes in prayer
2 minutes listening/quiet
Small is not weak. Small is sustainable.
Make one obedient move this week.
Text the person. Forgive. Join the group. Get up early once. Turn the worship on. Open the Bible. Do the thing love requires.
In Him,
Heather Bradley
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