Be careful! Have a safe trip. Be safe! Go with God. These are phrases we say when saying goodbye to friends or family. Does anyone actually plan to drive unsafely, bike on I-30 or get on a plane with loose wings? Does God really want to travel with us? Maybe God doesn't even want us to go, but we go anyway. Does He stay home then? Or does He come along in spite of us?
There are verses in Ephesians 5:15-20 that talk about how to live and to travel in life. "Be careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (no kidding). Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine (or other things) which leads to debauchery (bad activities). Instead be filled with the Spirit! Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and songs. Sing and make music in your heart to The Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ."
Paul is giving us some guidelines to follow as we "take care." I believe he is telling us to be aware, pay attention. We can partly control our own actions, but what about those around us? Look for the unsafe situations and steer away. When we tell our departing guest, child or friend, "Be careful," give them some armor to protect them. Tell them, I trust your decisions, it is the others' I don't trust. And I trust God to protect you when I can't.
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| Love Carefully |
So we want to be clear headed, avoiding things that impair our judgment and use our God-given brain to make wise choices. Let the Spirit of God guide us. How do we do that? It is in the Ephesians verses. Be thankful, grateful and full of praise. Tune out the news, look upward, and laugh today in praise to God. That keeps the sorrow of the world's chaos at a dull hum in the background. And always remembering where the source of our strength comes and thanking God in advance for every good thing that comes our way!
Hallelujah! Thanksgiving is just a few days away. We should all be
thinking of our blessings. For example, I watched the Thanksgiving episode of the Pioneer Woman (a show about a ranching family and the cook who constantly feeds them). At their Thanksgiving dinner, they all went around the table telling what they were grateful for. Not to be critical (wink), but there was not one mention of God or His blessings. Then, they chowed down without a prayer or even a moment of silence! I guess she is just being politically correct, but we certainly don't have to be!
For Christians, every day is one of thanksgiving. And a day of being careful....to thank Him, praise Him and walk with Him every day until we see Him! Living our lives in His grace, avoiding the dangers of Satan and his evil chaos, and giving out the love of God. I know you are being careful today!
Pray:
Father, help us to be careful. Protect us from evil, our families from harm and bless us as a grateful people.
Amen
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