DELAY?

I’ve been thinking about this word a lot lately. Delay.

Not in a dramatic way. Not in a “I’m running from God” kind of way. But the way it shows up in small ways, especially the quiet excuses.

What I’ve been noticing; Excuses don’t always sound bad. Sometimes they sound like: “I’m just tired.” “I’ll do it later.” “I need to think about it more.” or “I’m not ready yet.” And if I’m being honest, most of them are real. They’re not even sinful. They’re just… convenient.

But I’m starting to realize something: Even reasonable excuses can keep me from God. A moment that stayed with me

I read this passage in Luke 14, where Jesus tells a story about a man preparing a banquet.

Everything was ready. The invitation had already been sent. All they had to do was come. But one by one, people started making excuses. One had work to do. Another had responsibilities. Another had something in their personal life. None of the reasons were crazy. They just weren’t enough to make them come. And they missed it.

Not because they were rejected…but because they delayed. If I’m being honest That part hit me. Because I don’t think I say “no” to God. I just say “later.”And somehow “later” turns into distance. Disconnection. Missed moments I didn’t even realize were invitations. What I’m starting to understand God isn’t asking me to have everything together before I come to Him. He’s not waiting for me to feel ready. Everything is already prepared.

The peace.
The rest.
The clarity.
The healing.

It’s not something I earn. It’s something I accept. So what’s really getting in the way? I’ve been asking myself that. And if I’m honest, my excuses usually come down to a few things: wanting control, wanting to feel ready and wanting to understand everything first. Which the root of it all is not trusting God.

Other times it’s comfort, it’s overthinking or it’s just not wanting to let go yet. And none of those things sound bad until they start replacing obedience. A quiet realization Maybe the issue isn’t that I don’t want God. Maybe it’s that I keep choosing other things first. Not intentionally, Just… slowly. A small shift

I don’t think the answer is trying harder. I think it’s responding sooner. Not perfectly. Not confidently. Just… honestly.

Saying yes before I overthink it. Showing up before I feel ready. Praying before I figure everything out. What I’m sitting with right now What have I been delaying? Where have I been saying “later” instead of “yes”? What feels small… but is actually an invitation? A simple step

Today, I don’t want to overcomplicate it. I just want to respond. Even if it looks like: Praying for a few minutes without overthinking it. Resting without feeling like I have to earn it. Letting go of something I’ve been trying to control. Saying yes to something God has already been nudging me toward.

Maybe the invitation isn’t coming later. Maybe it’s already here. And maybe the only thing standing between me and it…

is delay.