Month: May 2020

It was a gray building with a two-car driveway connected to the main highway. It was so nondescript, I had to double-check the address to assure myself I was in the right location. I rang the doorbell and after a few moments, was allowed to enter a narrow hallway. Hundreds of photos were plastered on the wall. Famous musicians, singers, celebrities-all very familiar names had signed their photos and included a personal message of thanks. I was definitely in the right place!

 

One of my guitar amplifiers was in need of repair and this shop was recommended by a friend. I soon discovered this was THE electronic music repair shop in Los Angeles, frequented by the A-listers and amateurs, like myself.

 

“Hey, I know these guys!” I recognized a group of familiar faces and pointed at the photo. They were a very well-known pop band that started in Hawaii in the early seventies. They achieved some degree of national fame and selectively toured the mainland states and smaller concert venues, often attended by Hawaiian expatriates.

 

The owner of the store leaned over the counter and recognized the photo. “Yeah! They used to come here when they were performing in L.A.”

 

I nodded. “Wow. That must have been in the eighties…because most of them are dead.”

 

“Yup. Like a lot of them.”

 

I knew the tragic story very well. Drugs, mental health issues, prison-so much promise and wasted potential. When I was in high school, every credible guitar player had to be able to play and sing their songs and their music is still popular in Hawaii. They and many others were the heroes of my youth. But like this sad story, so many succumbed to a dangerous and destructive lifestyle. Who are my heroes today?

 

As I have grown older, I discovered my real heroes are people few have ever heard. They are the unsung heroes of my life. One person is a woman who briefly worked for me. She was very good at her job and got along well with the rest of the staff. During her breaks, she would be seen texting on her cell phone. I unexpectedly walked in on her during one of these breaks when her phone vibrated. Embarrassed, she looked at me and said, “I’m sorry Doctor, it’s my daughter texting me.”

 

“No!” I reassured her. “I’m sorry for interrupting.”

 

She quickly replied to her daughter, smiling as she read the text.  “How is your daughter doing?” I asked her. “You once told me she was in college?”

 

“Yes,” she beamed. “She is on the east coast. Every morning I text her with a Bible verse and send her a prayer. She was replying to my morning text.”

 

“That is so wonderful!” I was touched by the love this mother had for her daughter. A month later, she informed me that she and her husband made the decision to move to the east coast. Her daughter was experiencing some undisclosed hardships and after much prayer, she and her husband agreed to sacrifice their home and jobs in Los Angeles to move and support her.

 

I truly miss her godly presence in my office but her faith profoundly moved me. Her daily devotional prayers to her daughter inspired me to begin writing these daily blogs, initially sent only to my immediate family. Outside of her immediate family, very few people know what she sacrificed and did for her family, and this is why she is my hero.

 

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)

 

Jesus Christ recognized the sacrifice of this poor widow when everyone else ignored her. She was seeking only to honor God, not desiring to impress anyone else. The rich and ostentatious displays of those around her called attention to themselves. God called attention to this widow’s selfless action. In God’s Kingdom, many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first. We do not know the names of the rich and famous making their offerings at the treasury that day, but we will always know the widow’s heroic and selfless action. God honors the humble and forgotten when they live a life dedicated to serving Him.

 

This is a true hero!

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

 

Many years ago when I was on staff at a hospital, a supervisor within one of the sections in the laboratory was fired. He was a hospital employee for fifteen years and his desk was evidence of his long tenure, covered in pathology reports, microscope slides, and a mixture of candy wrappers, empty soda cans, and coffee-stained mugs. His replacement was tasked with cleaning out the area after he left. A few days later, this new supervisor came to my office and updated me on his activities.

 

“Ugh! It was disgusting!” he began. “The years of filth were bad enough but as I dug through the mess, I discovered consult cases sent to us from several years ago. I called another supervisor over and she asked me, ‘Why is this here?’ ”

 

I gritted my teeth. “So you found old consult cases that should have been returned to the contributing physician or hospital?”

 

“Yes. We even found tissue blocks with no identification. We are in damage control, attempting to contact the hospitals and physician offices that have sent us these consult cases.”

 

Microscope slides and tissue blocks are a permanent part of the patient’s medical-legal record, like x-rays or a physician’s notes. Fifteen years of increasing negligence. For years, the laboratory and hospital administration considered him to be an excellent supervisor but recent changes in the hospital workflow exposed serious gaps in his knowledge base and performance. Over the course of a few months, his performance worsened leading to his termination. While this termination was painful for the laboratory employees, many of whom were friends with him, no one expected to find this level of gross negligence.

 

I have seen this scenario repeated in other work environments. Employees grow comfortable in their positions and create an insulated environment. They are astute enough to know just the minimum amount of work that needs to be done to adequately complete their job, to the satisfaction of their co-workers and supervisors. As time passes, mistakes are covered up or shuffled around and they have convinced themselves that what they are doing is acceptable or conveniently blame others. It is only when they leave or are fired that their errors are discovered. Terminated billing managers leaving behind files filled with uncashed patient check payments; stories of profanity-laced rants directed at one’s employer or co-workers; workstations filled with evidence of personal internet browsing; all of these and worse have been uncovered.

 

It is not only in our work environment. We may grow complacent in our spiritual lives as well. We may feel we are insulated and secure in our relationship with God, leading to a lackadaisical or entitled attitude. It may begin slowly but over time, lapses in our spiritual discipline may lead to the acceptance of heretical ideas and the perpetration of sinful deeds.

 

Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

John 12:6 (NLT)

 

Perhaps this is what happened to Judas. Jesus placed him in charge of the money for His disciples. Even though John wrote this verse in his Gospel many years after the recorded incident, The Bible does not reveal when he and the other disciples discovered that Judas was stealing their money. Although speculative, I doubt that he was a thief from the beginning. It probably began slowly, a few coins here and there, nothing that would be noticed by the other disciples. When Judas betrayed Jesus and his true nature was revealed, the disciples investigated further and discovered the extent of his clandestine activities.

 

It is unfortunate that only with the departure or termination of some people is the depth and gravity of their hidden sins revealed. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you must honestly review all of your actions and activities and present them to Him. It is not your employer or co-workers that you must please. You must always answer to God. This is why you are here, to live a life that honors Him by obeying His Word, not to make excuses, or to live an entitled life.

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

 

 

“In conclusion, we want to reassure all of our clients that we are diligently working to minimize disruptions in our service to your companies as we all work remotely.”

 

The email ended with a now-familiar phrase, “Be safe!”

 

I was reading an email from one of our suppliers to my company. Like numerous other companies, they had modified their daily operations, and their employees were all working remotely. The email was sent to reassure its customers, including our laboratory, that there would be no interruptions in their services. 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced many new phrases to our lexicon. Social distancing. Shelter in place. All are practical and serve an important purpose, but I truly like this last phrase, “Be Safe!” It does not sound trite like “Have a nice day!” or “Take it easy!”. It conveys a timely message that transcends the tragic events of the current crisis. We should always wish safety for everyone, but true safety can only be achieved if we are completely protected from any danger or injury. While this may be an altruistic expression, I know there is only one way to ensure this will happen.

 

I like to add, “Be safe, in God’s care.” My desire for safety for everyone is sealed with God’s promise, but how can we trust Him?

 

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

Numbers 23:18 (NLT)

 

When we know this, we can trust God’s promise for our safety. 

 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalms 4:8 (ESV)

 

Be safe in God’s care. 

 

There is no greater or nobler wish for everyone with whom I interact. 

 

Amen!

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

During my college years, my closest friend was my classmate whom God used to lead me to Jesus Christ. I admired him and was grateful for how he modeled his life of faith and shared his deep knowledge of the Bible with me. He led our weekly Bible study and was a gifted teacher. One evening during dinner, I asked him, “Have you ever considered being a pastor?”

 

My friend smiled and said, “When I was in high school, my home church pastor asked me to consider a career in ministry. He told me, ‘It can be a comfortable life!’ “

 

“What did you tell him?”

 

“I told him I would pray about it. After some time, I came back to him and thanked him for his suggestion but I felt God leading me to be a lawyer.”

 

I nodded. God blessed my friend’s prayers and he is now a federal judge. However, the pastor’s statement always struck me as odd. I did not know the pastor nor his motives for entering the ministry but I believe a career in ministry is not simply a vocation, it must be a calling from God. Certainly, the skill sets for a pastor and a life in the ministry would be relevant for many careers. Strong organizational skills, empathy and compassion, a gift for teaching-all of these are necessary qualifications, but the most important must be a direct calling from God. 

 

And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work…

Hebrews 5:4 (NLT)

 

I know many people who have confided in me that the reason they chose their profession was because it was their calling. Whether it was a calling from God or some inner voice to whom they answer, the statement implies that it was not their decision to make. These are noble sounding words but how does one know if this calling is truly emanating from God or one’s own desires? And in the end, does it matter if one is truly happy with their decision?

 

In an earlier generation, the movie “Chariots of Fire” captivated audiences and won the 1981 Oscar for Best Picture. It was based upon the story of two British Olympic runners, competing in the 1924 Olympics. One of the runners, Eric Liddell, played by Ian Charelson, was the son of Scottish missionaries, and he wrestled with balancing his personal faith and God-given talents as a runner. Liddell missed a prayer meeting because he was running. After his sister admonished him, he told her that he was divinely inspired to run and therefore if he didn’t run, it would dishonor God.  “I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” The climax of the movie occurs when he is scheduled to run in his favored event, the 100 meter race. However, Liddell learns that the race is to be held on a Sunday and he vowed to never violate the Sabbath. One of his teammates offers him his spot on the 400 meter race, not his favored event. In spite of this, Liddell triumphs and wins the gold medal, honoring God by not running on the Sabbath and sealing his legacy as one of England’s great athletes. 

 

Liddell’s answer to his sister and his life embodies a great truth. He was gifted with a talent that may not be immediately recognized as a gift to serve God. Yet, he utilized it by dedicating it to God in everything he did. Liddell later became a missionary to China where he gave his life serving the Lord during the Japanese occupation of World War II. 

 

Whether it is the ministry or any other occupation, if God has called you and you do it with the total conviction to serve God, you will be in agreement with God’s will for your life. However we choose to serve God, it is a calling, not ours, but His calling for our life.

 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossian 3:17 (ESV)

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

 

It began as one man’s protest against police brutality and racial inequality in America. Sitting during the performance of the national anthem progressed the next week to take a knee while his teammates were standing at attention on the football field. The man was Colin Kaepernick, a pro-football player, who was determined to make a bold statement. A firestorm followed. Celebrities and politicians took sides, some joining Kaepernick’s protest, others reviling his actions. One question was raised by many: When did it become patriotic to become unpatriotic?

 

Critics and pundits alike point out that these actions are not unpatriotic but simply misunderstood. Indeed, they counter with the notion that their actions should be praised since they are defending American values and focusing attention on critical issues. Detractors point out that the ends do not justify the means. 

 

Who is right?

 

There are kernels of truth on both sides of the discussion. While I do not agree with the method, I do agree with some of the issues that Kaepernick was attempting to communicate. Unfortunately, the full impact of his message was diluted and even distracted by the controversy that ensued. 

 

When did it become patriotic to be unpatriotic? When do the ends justify the means? The Bible gives us valuable insight. This verse from 2 Chronicles describes King Asa of Judah’s actions. While he was generally a good king, he became overconfident in his abilities. At this time, Judah and Israel were divided and often engaged in open conflict. When Asa learned that Israel was building up the city of Ramah to hinder their people from leaving and joining Asa, he took action. He allied with Syria, an enemy of both Judah and Israel. By clever words and bribery, Asa convinced the King of Syria to join him and attack Israel. The resulting actions led Israel to abandon the building project in Ramah as it fought to defend itself against Syria. 

 

While Asa’s actions did preserve and strengthen Judah, God was not pleased that Asa relied upon his cleverness and did not first seek God’s guidance. God sent the prophet Hanani to chastise Asa’s actions. The first part of the verse illustrates God’s desire for His creation, searching for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 

 

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him….

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT)

 

The last part of the verse contains God’s condemnation of Asa’s actions and a prophecy that Asa and the Kingdom of Judah would face continuing warfare. 

 

…What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT)

 

In this world, the ends justify the means. When we choose to follow God, it is very clear that the ends do not justify the means. While we may utilize our talents and resources to create an outcome that we think may be pleasing to God, it ignores God’s sovereign Hand in all activities, exalting our abilities, rather than acknowledging that God is in control of all events. He is desirous for us to surrender our will to Him so that He may bless us for our obedience. 

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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I was only 13 years old but for as long as I could remember, this small music shop which doubled as a typewriter repair shop was beckoning to me. Every afternoon after school was finished, I caught the bus to my father’s dental office, where I would study until we returned home. Two stops before his office, I would pass the shop with gleaming new guitars hanging in the showcase window. One day, I knew I would visit the shop!

One afternoon, I finally had the opportunity. I completed my homework early and informed my father that I would take a walk around the block. I made a beeline for the music shop. Entering the cramped shop, I was greeted with a peculiar mix of counters covered with old typewriters and walls adorned with new guitars. The owner was huddled behind a cash register, engrossed in a book. Barely looking up, he acknowledged my presence. “Pick up or drop off?”

“I beg your pardon?” 

He motioned to the counter. “Typewriter.”

I nodded and sheepishly asked, “Could I play one of the guitars?”

“Which one?” he grunted. 

I quickly pointed to a beauty on the wall. It was the same one that one of my guitar heroes played and I wanted to channel him. The owner took the guitar down from the wall and handed it to me, plugging it into a nearby amplifier. I was in heaven! It was the first real electric guitar I had ever played. Before I knew it, twenty minutes had elapsed and I knew I had to return to my father’s office. I was beaming and thanked him as I handed the guitar back to him. He looked up from his reading and frowned. “You in high school?”

“No sir, next year.”

“Your school teaching you about the Illuminati?”

“Illumi…” I fumbled with the word.

“Illuminati.” He shook his head. “They’ve been controlling the events of the world since the French revolution. They’ve bankrolled the two world wars, the overthrow of governments, and they control the world’s banking. Everything that happens in this world has their fingerprints on it.”

I didn’t know what to say. I just wanted to play one of the guitars, instead, I received an indoctrination into how the world really works, or at least how he perceived it worked. 

“Your school is not teaching you about it, right? The educational system is also controlled by them. Here, read about it.” He handed a well-worn book to me. “You read it and come back and see me. I’ll let you play the guitar again if you promise to read it.”

As I turned to leave the shop, he added, “This is how the world works!” I took the book and returned to my father’s office. Over the next month, I read the book and learned how this group allegedly orchestrated the major events of the world, as the shop owner claimed. I returned to the shop once more and did have a brief discussion with him about the book, but only to allow him to let me play another guitar. Within a year, the shop closed and I never saw him again. However, his statement lingered in my young impressionable mind. “How does the world really work?” 

Was it really all a conspiracy? Multiple sources of research have averred that up to half of all Americans believe in some form of conspiracy. The world is controlled by bankers. Aliens have infiltrated the highest levels of government. There is a conspiracy theory for every political, cultural, or religious group. How does one make sense of all of this?

My high school years followed this encounter and my thoughts were distracted by other more pressing matters. I was increasingly disillusioned by Christianity and was convinced the biggest conspiracy was the mythology of religion. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthian church, his entire hope in Jesus Christ was based upon the proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ was not raised from the dead, he and everyone who declared their faith in Him were fools, worthy only to be pitied by the rest of the world for believing such a lie. 

And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

1 Corinthians 15:16-19 (NLT)

For many years, this is how I viewed Christianity. How could a man be raised from the dead? How could God die? It would take several years of God reaching out to me by sending a dear brother in the Lord to my side who spent hours discussing and debating the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We carefully read the Bible and after a year, God revealed to me that what I dismissed as a conspiracy of religious fanatics, was in fact, the Truth. 

How does the world work?

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (NLT)

This is how the world works! We live and have hope in this life because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ who conquered sin and death forever. 

Praise God for His grace and mercy to all who place their trust and faith in Jesus Christ. 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Many years ago, I was discussing the performance of one of our residents with my dermatology residency program director. We both agreed he was clearly intelligent, his patients liked him, and he got along well with the office staff. The problem was he was not showing up to his assigned lectures and clinical rotations and his knowledge base and skill sets were lagging behind his peers. After much deliberation, we decided to place the resident on academic probation. Within weeks, our action produced the desired effect. His attitude improved. His attendance at lectures and clinics was exemplary and his fund of knowledge caught up and even excelled his peers. Two years later, he graduated from our program and secured a prestigious fellowship at a major university medical center. He is now on staff at a premiere specialty medical clinic in that state. 

 

It was a satisfying outcome, one that the director and I often reminisce with fondness. A few years later, we encountered another problem resident. The circumstances were slightly different but I confidently predicted that we would again be successful in helping this resident find her proper footing. My director nodded but added this warning. “I know we both have high expectations because of our previous experience but I just want to give you this warning.”

 

“What?” Where was this coming from, I thought?

 

“I don’t want you to be disappointed if our intervention does not work this time.”

 

I was puzzled. “Do you know something that I don’t?”

 

With a thoughtful pause he said, “We were both happy it worked the last time but I realize it may be an exception. We have to be prepared for disappointment and not be discouraged if it doesn’t turn out as we expect.”

 

I nodded. Yes, I would be disappointed. I was biased by my previous experience but as I pondered my answer, I realized something far more profound. If I am disappointed, then why am I doing this?

 

When I agree to take on a task, I do so with the expectation that I will give it my best effort and hope that I will be successful. Yet, there are many situations for which this ideal outcome may not occur. Teaching is one such example. If I am not successful, I would be disappointed but it should be not a reason to give it all up. Instead it should motivate me to re-evaluate my teaching style and the relationship I had with the resident. I need to consider nuances of the resident’s personality, work habits, and how they learn. Was there something I was missing that was hindering his progress or was he simply lazy and didn’t deserve to be in the program?  For any activity I undertake, If I am only giving my time and effort with the expectation that I will be rewarded, then my motives are wrong. I need to reorient my thinking, in line with the greatest Teacher who ever lived. 

 

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Hebrews 7:25 (NLT)

 

Jesus Christ allowed Himself to be led to the Cross to be tortured and executed. He did this, confident that He was being completely obedient to the will of God, His Father. He did this because His sacrifice would reconcile the relationship between God and man that sin had ruptured. Jesus Christ made this sacrifice for everyone but not all accept His offer for salvation and eternal life. Was Jesus concerned that His sacrifice would not be accepted? Would He experience the same disappointment that I experience when my efforts do not lead to the expected outcome for which I was hoping?

 

Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ does not have the failings that fester within me. Jesus Christ never gave up on me, even when I defiantly rejected Him for so many years. It was only by the persistence of His Holy Spirit speaking to my soul that I finally confessed and repented of my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. 

 

Why am I doing this? 

 

My Lord and Savior sacrificed His life for me, His lost lamb, to search for my lost soul even when I continually rejected Him. If I truly care to teach, I will follow the example of the Great Teacher and Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

 

A beautiful story that has emerged from the current COVID-19 pandemic is the striking rise in pet adoptions, particularly dogs. Sheltering in place has encouraged people to find new companions to combat loneliness and/or to find additional comfort during a crisis. As an owner of a rescue dog, I am very pleased by this development. Certainly, all of the reasons that are given are true and I would like to add my own observations. 

 

A common phrase that is expressed during this pandemic is, “Social distancing does not mean social disconnection.” We need this reminder as our lifestyles change because we all need and seek companionship. A dog is an ideal solution. For anyone who has ever owned a dog, the devotion they show to their owner is remarkable and endearing. They will wait by the door until you return, never certain whether you will. And when you do, the reunion is as if we have not seen one another for years. It is a constant longing and willingness to please one’s master that forges such a close bond between dog and man. As a dog-loving friend once remarked to me, “Dogs provide unconditional love and accept you for all your flaws…more than what some humans are capable of doing.” Isn’t this what God does for us?

 

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He is gracious to us.

Psalms 123:2 (NASB)

 

We are created by God for fellowship with Him. Our pets’ desire to bond with us mirrors our true nature to bond with God. Does God experience the same type of pleasure in our relationship with Him? There is always a danger to impart human characteristics to an omnipotent and omniscient God. Yet when we do, we can gain some insight into the depth and complexity of the love that God has for us. Most certainly God’s pleasure is infinitely greater than anything we can imagine or conceive. God does delight in us when we place Him first in our soul and honor Him with thanksgiving. 

 

Our relationships on this earth and with our dogs are a glimpse of the glorious relationship with God, our Creator. There is a God-shaped hole in our hearts that can only be fulfilled and satisfied by an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

 

As we continue to adopt pets, allow God to adopt you as His own child through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

 

Clippers. Check. 

Comb. Check. 

Scissors Check.

Mirrors. Check. 

Watching 10 hours of internet instruction videos. Check.

Common sense. Whoops! Checked out!

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shelter-in-place have forced everyone to alter their usual routines, including haircuts. After over two months, I couldn’t tolerate my shaggy hair any longer and resolved to teach myself to cut my hair. I rehearsed the technique at least a dozen times and confidently envisioned the glorious end product. It was common sense. How difficult could this be? 

 

I confidently placed the clippers on my hair with a guard that would leave an inch of hair. A clump of hair immediately fell to the ground. I was surprised at how easily the blades sliced through my hair. Clean, quick. “That’s not too bad!” I reassured myself as I examined my first pass from different angles in the mirror. 

 

Bzzz. Another pass. Hmmm…that cut took off a little too much. No problem, I will cut a little more on the other side to even it out. Bzzz. Just a little off, need to even it out on the first side again. Bzzz. Oh oh….

 

It was a classic rookie attempt to fix a mistake in cutting one’s hair. Yes, there is a reason why millions of others should pay a professional to cut their hair. Common sense…and I am certainly lacking it.

 

O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

Proverbs 8:5 (ESV)

 

You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.

Proverbs 8:5 (NLT)

 

I like both translations of this Proverb because of the insight they give into God’s Word and human nature. One does not have to do a detailed search of the Bible to find many admonitions about the importance of having common sense. 

 

My research on self-haircuts never warned me to stop. However, that does not mean it was a good idea or that I should do it. It was foolish and lacked common sense. Just because something is not written in any manual or depicted in an instructional video does not mean it is not important or should be ignored. Companies have many unwritten rules and principles that should be adopted, such as common sense, a good attitude, and the willingness to help one another. These are the attributes of every employee who seeks to create a good work environment. If these principles are not part of the workplace culture and are inculcated into every employee, the inevitable outcome will be petty jealousies, snarky comments, and strife. 

 

Principles of common sense are usually not written down. I exhibited a lack of common sense, and sadly, it will probably not be the last. My spiritual life is no different. Thanks be to God that He gives the Holy Spirit to me and all believers in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Through His guidance, I learned prudence, good judgment, AND common sense.

 

And that’s not too bad!

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.