Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Jan. 18, 2012

“The Death of Common Sense”
“Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them…" – Proverbs 3:21 (The Message)

Guard clear thinking and common sense with your life. That is a big task, and one that should not be taken lightly. Seeing this verse I am instantly drawn to a couple of passages from the New Testament. The first one is this:

“Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1)

The second one is very similar, but a bit more specific:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

Obviously, there is something to be said about how we think and what we think about. That is what Clear Thinking will do for us. Keeping our minds unclouded and out of the gutter.
But what about “common-sense?” Can we actually do something about that? According to Solomon the answer is a staunch, YES!! The problem is we are no longer surrounded with this thing called common sense and our children (and grandchildren) will not know what it is unless we model it!,br /> I don’t remember exactly who sent it to me – but about five years ago I received an email from someone that makes this verse more important than ever. The concept behind it is something that is quickly becoming non-existent, the ability to clearly think and do the right thing. The following takes us there.
Today we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
Common Sense selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories, helping people get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.
For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (adults are in charge, not kids), and it's okay to come in second.
A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including the free love movement, body piercing, whole language and "new math."
But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of the “It’s-not-my-fault” virus teamed with overbearing federal regulation.
Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as Lifetime Values became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and entertainers were given the platform to determine public policy.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son Reason. Three stepbrothers survive him: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.,br /> Wow! I knew Common Sense was ill – but I did not realize it was that serious. But then again—looking at our world and our society, I should have seen it coming.
Pastor J. T. Carnell