JUST EXCUSES – Tammy Ortung
For many years, I struggled with telling others about Jesus. I felt like Moses must have felt; not because of any physical inability to do what God had commanded, but because of the effect of my paralyzing fear. The reasons for my fear weren’t valid—just excuses. I admit there was the fear of rejection, but I was mostly afraid of offending someone. I was more concerned with offending someone than I was about their eternal destiny.
I remember hearing the story of the Columbine High School tragedy where several teens, who had entire lives ahead of them, were shot and killed one day for their belief in God. I’ve imagined myself in similar situations and I say “Yes, yes Lord, I would acknowledge you… even if it meant losing my life.” And yet, I was afraid to merely talk to someone about Christ?
Well, I will no longer deny who I am in Christ or worry about offending people. I want to take up my cross and live each day for the Lord. “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in the glory of the father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26 NIV)
God’s Word is very clear … The Book of Matthew uses the word deny … so if we’re ashamed of (deny) him now, then He will deny us before the Father.
That is too devastating for me to even imagine. How about you?
Tammy Ortung is a 25-year military veteran with a heart for serving God and making a difference in the lives of others. Contact
