Jesus, pick me.

There’s an epidemic that is plaguing our culture and our country.

It’s not the coronavirus. It’s not vaccines or the lack thereof. It’s not even the liberal media (although a strong case could be made for that).

The epidemic that I am referencing is an epidemic of laziness. It’s a get-rich-quick, do-more-with-less, I-don’t-feel-like-doing-it-now, I’d-rather-escape-on-[insert social media platform of choice], whatever-feels-good-do-it kind of epidemic.

This epidemic is the worst kind. It’s the one that will cause people to not stand for anything. It will cause people to fight for privileges without taking the associated responsibilities. It will cause fathers to abandon their wives and children, and it will cause mothers to abdicate their duties to YouTube and mobile apps.

It’s been said many times that a man’s life is known by what people say when he’s gone. Clearly, Kobe Bryant has left a mark on people that will last a long time. Social media, new channels, everyone is talking about this terrible tragedy.

And what are they saying? Koby Bryant was different.

Honestly, I’m not a sports follower. I didn’t follow Kobe Bryant. Never saw him in action. But this quote resonated with me.

I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.

Kobe Bryant

Our society is giving everyone an excuse. There’s a disorder for everything imaginable. Scared of typing in front of people? You bet. We’ll call that Performance Anxiety Disorder.

As a private school administrator, I sat in front of a young lady that had been told all the reasons why she can’t. She was loaded down with excuses as to why she didn’t have to try, focus or work. Why her bad grades and her lack of attention were all dismissable.

Please hear me. People have legitimate issues. I do not discredit those.

But. People will only rise as high as you say they can.

I slid the large file filled with doctor’s reports and individualized education plans across the table, and I said, I believe you can do anything you really want to do.

Tears welled up in this young ladies’ eyes. And this young lady that couldn’t concentrate. This young lady that had almost two year’s worth of work to do in order to graduate… walked across the graduation platform as her parents looked on with pride. Exhausted and with tears in their eyes, but pride, none the less.

There are TOO many stories of overcomers to believe any different. People with severe handicaps. I think immediately of Nick Vujicic, the man with no arms or legs, that has gone surfing, played golf, fathered children and spoken to huge audiences around the world.

And I think of the blind man who nobody knows. He works here in Tulsa, and for fun, he goes out sailing. The only help he needs is navigating out of the dock. Then he navigates the Oklahoma lake with confidence as he depends on his auditory perception to know where he is and where he is headed.

His story? Oh, he must have been born blind. No. He lost his vision as a teenager. And one day, not long after he lost his vision, his mother told him to take out the trash.

But mom, how can I? I’m blind!

His mother’s response was: are you going to let that dictate the rest of your life?

So, what’s your excuse? Why can’t you succeed? Why can’t you pass that class? Why can’t you live for God? Why can’t you improve your skills vocally or on the piano?

The best things in life require hard work.

I hear many young people pray, Jesus use me! I want to be a vessel you can use. Pick me to work in that outreach. Pick me to do something great.

But when it comes to preparation… Learning to play an instrument. Memorizing the Word of God. Giving of your time to help someone in need. No thanks, I’ve got other plans.

You can’t be passive and win the war against laziness. It’s something that requires intentionality. Whatever it takes. Ask a friend. Hire a coach. Do something to tell your lazy flesh NO.

You’ll be glad you did… when you walk across that graduation stage.
You’ll be glad you did… when the Lord uses you to minister through song or the Word of God.
You’ll be glad you did… when you write a blog post telling someone else they can, because you did.

Jesus, pick me.