Daily Stop & Thinks

Common Sense

We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err, because this is more comfortable. (Alexander Solzhenitsyn, late Russian historian and philosopher)

Is common sense no longer common? Our minds are often confused by “thinkers” with an agenda—and not always a healthy one. We might say, jokingly, that the truth is as obvious “as the nose on your face.” Why then, do we ignore obvious truth? Because, as our Russian writer puts it, it sometimes is more comfortable to ignore the truth and accept what pleases us!

God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. (John 3:19)

The Ides of March

“The fault,” dear Brutus, “is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)

This is the day that Julius Caesar was stabbed by conspirators who planned and executed his death. Since then, the expression, “The Ides of March,” has conveyed an idea of treachery or, at least, bad luck. But Brutus had it right. Evil deeds, hatred—sin itself—is not a question of luck or astrology. We were born with a sinful nature, and it’s only the grace of God that can cure it.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard… the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

Risk vs. Trust

Trust because you are willing to accept the risk, not because it’s safe or certain. (Aamir Sarfraz, Pakistani businessman)

It may be that a proposed business venture promises great success and the accompanying reward. Choosing whether to pursue the project will certainly involve considering available resources of time and finances—and the possibility of unforeseen contingencies and even failure. It’s also important to discern the capability and trustworthiness of the team and its leader.

The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. (Proverbs 28:20)

Opportunity II

Everything is but a path, a portal, or a window opening on something more than itself. (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 20th century French writer)

What do you think when you come to a fork in the road? Or when a door or window of opportunity you hoped to enter closed on you?  These days when we have a choice about which road to take, we simply check our GPS.  But when it’s a closed door or window, we may be tempted to give up. Wouldn’t it be better to consider another choice? A great opportunity might be right around the corner!

A wise person chooses the right road. (Ecclesiastes 10:2)

Opportunity I

Opportunities don’t happen, you create them. (Chris Grosser)

They say that opportunity knocks only once. That could be a dangerous premise; how many people are still waiting for that knock and meanwhile are accomplishing little? On the other hand, if we just look around, we may find lots of opportunities to pursue good work and service. Consider your interests and skills and search for ways to use them productively.

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone. (Galatians 6:10) 

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 5:16)

Today

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. (Buddha)

We’ve probably all been in a conversation with someone who continually talks about past problems, successes, circumstances—ad infinitum. You may have met someone else who is eager to share his or her plans, expectations, dreams of the future. Sometimes we may want to interrupt to remind them not to forget the importance of today.

Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

So don’t worry about tomorrow. (Matthew 6:34)

Friends II

Nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship. (Cicero, 1st century BC Roman scholar)

In the nearly year-long Corona-19 virus lockdown, many of us were alone a lot. Only time will tell how devastating that solitude may have been for some with compromised physical or emotional health. Many others survived well because they stayed in touch with others, either in person or virtually. Is there someone who needs a call from you today?

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 17:17, 27:17)

Friends I

The making of friends, who are real friends, is the best token we have of a man’s success in life. (Edward Everett Hale, 19th century American historian)

At memorial services, we often hear eulogies in praise of the accomplishments of the recently deceased. The formal speeches are an encouragement and a challenge to the surviving family and friends. But it’s often the comments of the friends themselves that testify to the true and lasting legacy of the one who is being honored. It’s a challenge to friends and may greatly impact them as well.

The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends. (Proverbs 11:30)

“Things”

The best way to find out what we really need is to get rid of what we don’t. (Marie Kondo, author and TV show host)

Our loaded attics, garages, and storage units testify to all the stuff we have accumulated over the years. And we acknowledge that we don’t use or need most of it. So, this might be a good time to follow Kondo’s suggestion. If we begin by disposing of the stuff we obviously don’t need. soon we may discover we’ve pared our “stuff” down to a reasonable, usable resource.

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 6:9) Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:2)

Persistence

A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit. (Richard Bach, novelist)

Getting all of those rejection letters is enough to make any budding author want to quit. Successful writers keep on trying until they find the best way to use their skills. The same is true of actors, athletes, or musicians, who usually go through lots of near misses before they achieve their career goals. Talent and persistence are the twins for success.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3)

Purpose

The purpose of life is a life of purpose. (Robert Byrne, late American author)

Some people today can’t seem to find their place in life. They’re still trying “to find” themselves. Without a stated purpose or plan, life just seems to go on, and circumstances become the determiners of the way we go. Maybe it should be the duty of mature, successful adults to help young people find a purpose suitable for their lives whether now or in the future.

I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. . . The LORD will work out his plans for my life. (Psalm 52:2; 138:8)

Doing Right

It is not your business to succeed (no one can be sure of that) but to do right: when you have done so, the rest lies with God. (C. S. Lewis, late British writer)

Lewis is surely not speaking against success, but he does make an important statement. In a time when “anything goes” and everybody’s opinion is considered to be “truth” for him, it’s critical to pursue what is right according to an accepted standard of right and wrong. Success in an endeavor which is not right in reality is no success at all.

Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. (Ecclesiastes 8:5)