Proverbs 26:13 - "The lazy man says, 'There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!'" I often use exaggeration for the sake of humor. "This chicken parmesan will change your life!" "That movie was insane!" "I was in traffic for four days on my way to the mall!" Although sometimes funny, exaggeration can creep into my normal, everyday thought process, hindering me from fulfilling my responsibilities as a Christian. "I know I should spend time with so and so in the hospital, but the traffic will be awful and I'll never get down there!" "I want to warn my brother in Christ about his sinful behavior, but he'll hate me forever." "I want to talk to Susie about the gospel, but I just know she'll flip out on me." "I would do such and such, but there's a fierce lion in the street!"

I have made mountains out of so many molehills in my attempts to excuse myself from lifting a finger. It's amazing how many dangerous beasts are out there waiting to stop me from serving God, but there never seem to be any at home keeping me from lounging. I am working toward the day when the wild excuses stop, so I can finally be about my Father's business. Lion? What lion?

Brian Messerli