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Sound Judgment And Discernment


                My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. (Proverbs 3:21-26) 

          Have you ever noticed how is it is to get lost? Let your concentration slip for one one millionth of a second, and wham! Where you wanted to go is somewhere way over there and where you are is L.O.S.T. For a couple months, I’ve had a shoebox on my dresser, in which I’ve put stuff that needs to be attended to. I have stacks of books, most of which will probably go back without being opened and late. I also have stacks of projects I was going to accomplish this summer: curtains, hats, cloaks, bags, and quilts I was going to make, painting I was going to do, books I was going to catalog. I was going to spend time studying Scripture, working out, getting healthy, taking pictures… so many good intentions. Like New Years’ Resolutions, I’ve failed, failed, failed,
          No, I’m not looking for pity. I know that I can begin today, make good decisions, plan things out in Outlook and make great strides in the few weeks I have left before I have to get ready to move. Yes, I know all that. That’s not the point. The point is that it is far easier to float than it is to preserve sound judgment and do that thing that needs to be done. It’s so easy to let down our guard. Why put such an effort into everything? It wears you out. 
         The reason is simple. When I am living out of my planner, I end up preserving sound judgment. I can be more discerning. I can keep what needs to be in front of me in front of me. When I lay down, I know where I stood and can rest well, knowing I’ve done what I needed to. 
         It can also be easy to go to the other extreme, setting an unrealistic schedule. I’d like to spend at least an hour in intense Bible study, two hours in intense prayer, a half hour in intense house work, six hours of writing (with all the blogs and daily stuff done in the first hour), 2 hours reading and researching, an hour and a half exercising. 
         The evil that Solomon is warning us against, the reason that we need sound judgment and discernment isn’t to keep us from murdering people. It’s so we won’t live a foolish and wasteful life. I need to get back to living out of my planner.

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