Common Sense

Year 4-Day 74: Today, I am grateful common sense.

Common sense is not so common. 

People like Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain made an art of applying common sense to conflict and conversation. Both of these men were intelligent and well read, but they both were equally observant of the absurdity in human behavior. 

Logical thinking is simply over run by emotion at times. Impetuous behavior runs rampant where it would be wise to pause, observe and evaluate before making a move or casting a word that cannot be undone. 

Jesus used common sense, too. 

He didn't try to teach people when they were hungry.
He didn't beg them to follow...he let them choose.
He didn't assume...he asked questions.

One of my favorite passages is how Jesus uses a very common sense approach to protect a woman guilty of adultery. He didn't condone her behavior, but he saved her life. John 8 is where the event is recorded. Jesus knew that a battle in legal rhetoric with scribes and Pharisees was a no-win situation for him. He found another way. 

“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” - John 8:7  Brilliant response to an angry, self-righteous crowd . 

So much depends on knowing the Word of God. It is full of truth and guidance for the journey. 

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

Reading His Word helps us make sense of the world. It is a timeless, living, holy source of wisdom. It sharpens our senses and guards our hearts. It makes sense to read it, study it and memorize the content. 

Today, I am grateful common sense.