Uncommon Sense

Working part time in a wood shop, I was given the task of cutting quart-inch-thick two-inch-wide strips that would be used in building a church pew. Simple project. One after another, I cut strips in repetitive motion. Ouch! Something bit me. No, not that. I’d run my thumb across the table saw blade. Common sense had led me to set the blade where I hadn’t cut off the end of my thumb. But this experience gave me uncommon sense to never again come close to the blade.

As mature adults can chew tough meat, those who have been through a lot have their spiritual senses exercised to distinguish between good and evil. — Hebrews 5:14

Ten Thoughts to Ponder

1. Spiritual strength is built from a healthy diet of God’s word and exercise of his will.
2. Glorifying God means to recognize and express his value.
3. Imagining God is a great way to avoid actually knowing him.
4. If I don’t know what I can’t see, I can’t measure the extent of my blindness.
5. Hearing is what our ears naturally do, but listening requires a conscious choice to engage our minds.
6. I could hear the Lord better if I didn’t spend so much time talking, telling him what he already knows.
7. When I open the door to Jesus, I am welcoming him into his house.
8. I become God’s prized possession when I surrender to his will.
9. Home improvement is more important within ourselves than anywhere else.
10. Any improvement that can be made today is priceless when its value continues forever.

Questions for Further Thought

• Why don’t some people have common sense?
• What might make it difficult to learn from our experiences?