Beyond Common Sense

“I think we should have Clash Day every day. It was so easy to get dressed,” I said laughingly. As you can tell by the picture, I was successful. Why was it so easy?

Think about your morning, especially if you are heading out the door and meeting people, even more especially if you will be standing in front of people. (Does my class of twelve and thirteen-year-olds notice? Oh, yes!) It takes time! The hair, the make-up, AND THEN the clothes: the top and bottom and perhaps a belt and accessories like a sweater or jacket and jewelry and socks and shoes. Did I miss anything? All must match! I’m tired just writing about it!

But, if you don’t need to think about all that matching, anything goes.

“See then that you walk circumspectly,not as fools but as wise,”

Ephesians 5:15 (NKJV)

Circumspectly— to act in a cautious, prudent, or guarded manner, carefully considering all circumstances to avoid risks or mistakes

The word is an adverb, which means it describes a verb—our actions.

It’s always interesting to notice what comes before and after a verse in the Bible. (And is what makes you a wonderful Bible student! ) Here are the admonitions BEFORE our “circumspectly” verse in chapter five:

• be imitators of God
• walk in love (followed by list of don’ts)
• don’t be deceived
• walk in light—fruit of the Spirit
• find out what is acceptable to the Lord
• don’t fellowship with darkness, but expose them
• Awake! Arise! Christ will give you light.

Then comes our verse followed by:

• Redeem the time
• Don’t be unwise
• Understand God’s will
• Don’t be drunk
• Be filled with the Spirit
• Speak and sing God’s word in your heart
• Give thanks always
• Submit to one another

And then comes wonderful marriage advice for another day.

Today, I threw on whatever I saw. What if my words were thrown out in the same manner? What if I didn’t think about what I watched on TV or where I went or who I associated with? Would I be walking circumspectly? It’s interesting to me that, as I was doing the dishes, I thought of more “clashy “things I could wear. So, there is some thought to the way we walk or dictate our days. I was thinking but not about the right things.  Walking circumspectly takes right thinking, and for that we need another verse: Philippians 4:8—

Finally, brethren, whatever things are

• true,
• noble,
• just,
• pure,
• lovely,
• of good report,
• if there is any virtue
• if there is anything praiseworthy

—meditate (or think) on these things.

Do you find yourself clashing with everyone you meet? We all have days like that, but when every day is like that, we need to do some soul-searching, Bible-studying, sin-confessing moments with our heavenly Father.

Clash Day is a fun day, a day to show our school spirit. It says, “We are all in this together, and I’m glad.” But living a clashing day isn’t fun at all. As always, God’s way is best. We might have moments of pleasure as we open our release valve of emotions and spew all over whomever is in our way, but the damage it causes and the disappointment of a bad testimony quickly douses that fiery moment of angry satisfaction. How much better to go out there…

And have a good and godly day!