“You should each judge your own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4a Good News Translation)
This is your Monday “Short” meditation. Like a surgeon, strategically trained and equipped with specialized skills, carefully performs an operation on a patient, and following the prescribed steps to perform a major procedure, I moved from aisle to aisle, purchasing the items on the shopping list that had been given to me. In an orderly fashion I picked up three types of hard-to-find sugar-free candies. I found the low-carb and no sugar added items. I found the sugar and caffeine free ginger ale and with two hands I lifted the carton and placed it in the cart. Next, I picked up some sugar-free electrolyte packages. Carefully, just like the surgeon, I skillfully placed everything in my cart to avoid any unnecessary damage and fulfill my specialized task.
While I am following the process of shopping in an orderly and purposeful way, my wife is at the pharmacy window waiting for a prescription to be filled. It was a smart move, a division of labor, accomplishing two things on the same trip. It was a good application of dividing up the work that had to be done. When I have finished my “operation,” I go to the pharmacy to meet Dr. King. I asked her if I should go ahead and checkout while she paid for her prescription at the pharmacy window. She tells me to go ahead, and I can meet her up front.
Here is what happened. I had placed everything on the conveyor belt and positioned that little red divider bar on the belt so that the lady in line behind me could start putting her items on the belt. Suddenly, my wife appears with a box of sugar loaded donuts, snack we would enjoy later. I didn’t notice her at first, but when I did, I said, “All this sugar-free stuff and scrumptious, and sugar-loaded donuts.” That last things seemed contradictory, didn’t it? The cashier smiled but sided with my wife. The customer who was behind me said, “I ain’t mad at you. Those are delicious.”
My purpose this morning is to ask you a question that has nothing to do with your grocery shopping, your diet, or your weakness for sweets. I was just trying to get your attention. I know, you are patiently asking, “What’s the question?” Hold on! I’m glad you asked. Here it is friend. “What about the last thing you did from a behavioral perspective?” Digging deeper, “What about the last thing you said to somebody?” Did I hear you say, “Keep digging?” Okay, I will! “What about the last thing that you thought?” I hope your answer did not contradict your character as a follower of Christ. If it did, what should you do about it? Your turn to answer, okay? Be blessed!
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King