Last night my neighbor was burning his barn that he torn down. He walked away for a second to get his lawn mower (because apparently you should be mowing your lawn while your burning a building and the fire is raging away). Anyway while he wasn't paying attention a small ember landed on his other barn catching it on fire. We ended up spending about 10 minutes running in and out of the unintentionally burning barn to get as much of his stuff out before it collapsed. This is what I learned in the midst of it and after it that can be applied to life.
One spark can cost you more than you ever anticipated. He lost a barn and a grainery and probably $5000 worth of stuff. How often has one misstep or sin cost me more than I wanted it to?
You shouldn't go it alone. We need people looking out for us sometimes. We also need to work together. I helped him move a canoe- neither one of us could have done it alone. God did not create us to be autonomous individuals. We are created for community.
Pay attention. Steven could have lost even more, because he didn't even know that his other building was on fire. If you are walking close to a fire (real or metaphorical) diligence is a must. The Word says that the enemy is prowling like a hungry lion seeking to devour. If that isn't a reason to be diligent, I don't know what is.
And finally if you aren't sure, seek advice. Steven said after the craziness was over that he wasn't completely sure if it was safe to burn with the wind the way it was. He should have asked someone. Proverbs says that a wise man seeks counsel. Sometimes we need someone to tell us if we are headed down a road that will burn us in the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment