Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Aug. 5, 2011 “Sit Up Straight!”

“Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live…’" – Proverbs 4:1 (MSG

It’s hard to believe but school begins next week. It has been a looooonnnng time since I was going to school but I can vividly remember my fifth grade teacher—Miss Hensley, always telling us to “Sit up straight in your desks!” I did not realize at the time how important that really was and now some 40 years later (give or take a few) I understand why she was so adamant about our posture. You listen better and you learn better. End of story. Well, not quite. Solomon started it. He’s the one that told Miss Hensley to say what she did—and I am grateful for that today. Another reason why you need to sit up straight is to keep you alert and ready for whatever may come your way. If you are “slouching” it becomes much easier for you to let your eyes get a little droopy and then wander off into Neverland. Not good when the teacher catches you! A couple got a late start for home after their daughter's wedding which was three hours away. The wife had been fighting fatigue as well as a nasal infection and was longing for home and her own bed. After a short discussion about the wedding she drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, there was a terrible shimmying and weaving of the car. She woke up and thought, "We're in an accident..." but kept her eyes closed out of fear. She continued to feel the car shaking, then nothing. Opening her eyes, she realized that they were in a ditch in the middle of the highway, still speeding along on cruise control. Finally, her husband, keeping his composure, shut off the cruise control and steered the car back up and onto the interstate. A couple of miles down the road she said, "Did you fall asleep?" "Yes," he quickly answered. "Do you want me to drive?" "No," he said with calmness. "I'm wide awake now!" Life is one big classroom! We are constantly learning and growing and hopefully we are paying attention to what is around us—especially to what the Lord is wanting to teach us. Another way to approach this is to see it as this couple in the illustration—and as we travel down this highway of life how it is so very easy to get tired and "fall asleep at the wheel!" Then, when we find ourselves in a shaky or even dangerous situation Jesus gets our attention quickly. Perhaps the best way to "stay alert" is to sit up straight—or more specifically, live a HOLY life! One where Jesus is Lord and the Holy Spirit is allowed to lead us day in and day out. Second, keep a steady pace. When you're tired from the struggles of life it's okay to rest for a while. Let someone help carry your load. But to fall asleep while going full speed...that can lead to some dangerous consequences!! Okay class—sit up straight! No slouching!

Pastor J. T. Carnell