Ephesians 5:15-17 - Shuffling Onward & Upward

A couple days ago, Carolyn and I took our dog, Dante, for a walk and Carolyn slipped on the ice. She described it as a "slow fall." She didn't hurt herself. But last night as I headed out to take the dog on a walk, she warned me not to fall. It was dark, there were patches of ice, the dog was pulling on the leash, and I was already walking gingerly so as not to reinjure my back. At times I was shuffling on ice rather than trying to lift my waffle stomper boots off the slick pavement.

None of that stopped me from walking the dog. He needed the exercise and so did I. 

We have hospice patients to visit even when the roads are icy. That doesn't stop us from driving. We just take our time... unless it's a total white-out!

There are evil things in the world around us, but that doesn't mean we need to be overtaken by it. Nor do we have to shut down and quarantine from living life. Instead we are called to let our light shine--not backing down from doing what we need to do.

Paul put it this way,
"15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  (Ephesians 5:15–17, New American Standard Bible, 1995)

Lord, life can get rough. Even evil. Give us wisdom to discern right from wrong. Understanding to know Your will. And courage to keep moving forward. In Jesus' name, Amen.