This morning’s Leominster/Fitchburg newspaper just spoiled one of my favorite things. I love to sit outside in the evenings and feel the cool air push away the afternoon shadows as dusk closes another day. Alas, it seems that our mosquitoes are now bearers of more than an itchy bite. Some of those trapped by Mass Public Health Department are carrying West Nile Virus, not something one puts on their bucket list. I can still walk my dog but I can’t just sit still and soak in the glory of an evening in New England. Our newspaper counsels don’t panic just use common sense.
That is pretty much the advice we receive in Psalm 1:1 regarding sinful behavior and its horrible results. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” It’s the company we keep or should I say don’t keep. It’s a matter of common sense. However, now that I have said that Jesus kept some very questionable company. It is amusing that when he met with Mr. Respectable, Nicodemus, He met him in secret. When He met with publicans, sinners and tax collectors He did it in the plain light of day. Jesus can indeed confound us.
But really, most of life is using common sense. Unfortunately it takes a few decades of living to acquire it. Too bad we aren’t born with it. In the middle of writing this I stopped and took my dog for our evening walk. Can you believe it a mosquito flew right into my ear? How can that be? I crushed her because she obviously didn’t have much of any common sense.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 10, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org