What's Your Excuse? - Weekly Workplace Wisdom

 WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?

By Rick Warren
 

            It's rare to find people today who are willing to take complete responsibility for their actions. America is becoming a nation of excuse-makers.  In the victimization of our culture our problems are always someone else's fault.  You can blame whoever you want - the government, your parents, the school you went to, television, your boss, or the rest of society. There's no need for you to feel bad.  There are plenty of patsies around.
 

            Sometimes our excuses are quite humorous. Consider these actual statements given to insurance companies by people involved in car accidents:
 

• "In my attempt to kill a fly I drove into a telephone pole!"
   
• "Coming home, I drove into the wrong driveway and hit a tree I don't have."
   
• "The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him."
   
• "I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment."
   
• "I was on the way to the doctor's office with rear-end trouble when my universal joint gave way, causing me to having an accident."
   
• "I had been driving my car for 40 years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident."
   
• "The telephone poll was approaching fast. I attempted to swerve out of its path when it struck my front end."
   
• "The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran over him!"
   

            Silly?  Yes.  But probably so are some of the excuses you've given at work: excuses for missing a deadline, for being late, or for messing up a project.
 

            The Bible says, "The lazy man is full of excuses." (Prov. 22:13)  Ben Franklin once observed, "The person who is good at excuse-making is seldom good at anything else."
 

            EXCUSERS ARE LOSERS.  Stand out in your work place - accept responsibility.

Until next week...

Discussion Questions:
 

1. What excuse do you find yourself using and for what?  Do you use excuses to excuse poor quality of work?
    
2. As you look at your life, is there an area you need to own up to with the Lord?  He already knew your life before you were born so nothing is a surprise to him.  But he can't bless you until you invite him in to co-labor in your work.  He can't free you from the things that entangle you until you take responsibility and admit it and allow his healing work in your life.
    
3. Who in your workplace can you encourage and pray for this week who is an excuse maker?