That little word can change a whole sentence by negating everything before it. “But” is one of the most overused excuses that let us off the hook. I’ve used it my whole life; have you?

             I’d love to get together, but…

             I wish I could help, but…

             I’d go to Church more, but…

Our ‘but’ exposes our divided heart, revealing what is important to us and what we are willing to put on hold; sometimes indefinitely.

I’m going to state the obvious: life is short, and we don’t get a second act. I’ve had a few close calls that I am painfully aware of, and likely others I’m clueless about.  There’s nothing like waking up in the ICU with no idea how you got there. Oftentimes the explanation began with: you’re lucky to be alive. Those reality checks serve as reminders of my mortality. I am here by the grace of God, and some apparently unfinished work for the Kingdom of God—or I’d be pushing up daisies. It’s really that simple, which brings me incredible clarity and a sobering perspective.

I had no premonition the day I was hit by a car that it might be my last. No clue that a fun outing with my granddaughters would find me on the ice with a split skull and brain bleed. I ponder those moments and a couple of other close calls with gratitude, realizing that the suffering that accompanied them was a gift of unity with Christ. The times in my life that caused me the most distress were the ones that drove me to the foot of the Cross.

Suffering, united with Christ crucified, is a powerful tool in our spiritual toolbox. Nothing given to God is ever wasted. The smallest inconvenience, joy, frustration, hardship, rejection, or pain—don’t waste any of it.

What’s important? What’s not? Where do I hope to spend eternity? Where do I insert ‘but’ in my relationship with Christ?

Start now by making every moment a commitment to do whatever is necessary. Confess, begin again—God loves U-turns. No one is ever too lost or too far gone for the One who willingly laid down His life and says to you now, “I did it all out of love for you.”

The only butt worth anything of value is made of pork and smoking on the grill, the other buts are just excuses.