Every once in a while we just need a good excuse to attend a conference.

This past week I attended a two-day conference on leadership. It’s an annual conference that I usually try to get to. 

The logistics that needed to be in place to attend included finding someone in advance to speak for me in church on the Sunday that followed. I also had to make sure my schedule was free from appointments and meetings.

None of that is too hard to do. I only have to want to make those arrangements, and then set them up weeks, or sometimes months, in advance.  

Probably the most common reason people give for not attending a conference is that they are too busy. However, the real reasons might be that they don’t see the value in attending, may not like the disruption in their schedule, or are deterred by the cost.

It’s just simpler to say, “I’m busy”. 

Years ago when a girl didn’t want to go on a date with a guy she would sometimes say, “I’m washing my hair tonight.” Her response gave the impression that turning down his invitation had nothing to do with him.

But even the dumbest guy could figure out that there was something more behind that excuse.

“Too busy” is an easy defence. Everyone knows what busy is all about. We are all busy; life is busy. Everyone I know from the retired guy to the public school kid is busy. I don’t know anyone who talks about having all the time in the world. 

You can’t argue with that excuse. We love to use it; it’s at least partly true.

Have you ever been asked to do or attend something and felt a little cornered to say “yes”? But then you checked your calendar and saw that you already had an appointment on that date. You almost had to control your joy and excitement as you adjusted your face to look disappointed before saying, “Oh, unfortunately I’m busy on that day.”

The “I’m too busy” excuse is one of the great excuses we use for getting out of things we don’t want to do. We use it even for something that’s good for us. 

For instance, the conference I attended this past week was world class. The speakers are always top notch, but this year the numbers were down. 

Instead of an excuse not to attend, people need a good excuse to attend. 

And one of the greatest excuses for attending something that is going to cost you money and cause you to rearrange your schedule is … it breaks your routine. It gets you out of your daily rut; it changes things up. 

And that is good for you. It’s healthy for you. It’s a break from everyday sameness. It adds spice to your life. 

And along with that great excuse is that you learn new things that you benefit from. 

So set up a budget, save up, and sign up for a conference this year to put a little spice in your life. 

It’s a good excuse.

Here’s the thing: The easiest things to do in life are the same things we are doing, even if they are wrong, harmful, or good for us. God longs to bring the best to your life, which will mean breaking from the same thing to do something that’s best. Don’t fall back on your regular excuses. Come up with a good excuse to do what God wants.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What would add some spice to your life that you need a good excuse for? Leave your comments and questions below.