STANDING HALF-COCKED!

Sunday’s Monday

I had a (blast from the past) memory today after listening to a Rick Rigsby podcast. The blast was the song released by Aaron Tippin in 1991 titled You've Got To Stand For Something. In the lyrics of the song Tippin sings, “you got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything.” Which characterized his daddy and those principles that guided his life. This is a very insightful and powerful song filled with the emotions to cause him and others to desire to emulate his daddy. But as much as I enjoy the song, I also see the living truth around me every day. This land is filled with people all too eager to take a stand, without adequately researching exactly what it is their standing for. They all too often lack sufficient knowledge to do little more than draw attention to themselves, leaving their conquest unresolved. They haven’t discovered that “Misguided wisdom is simply knowledge tainted with whole lies, half-truths, and lots of pride!”

There are far too many people in today’s world finding need of a cause as they try desperately to fit into society. These will do whatever it takes to gain a seat at society's table, they find little regard for truth, fact, and or wisdom as they seek relief. To example what I’m saying here is, look at all the rioting that’s happened in the world, where plenty of innocent people suffers at the hands of people responding to a cause. Where is the justice in punishing the innocent for a wrong they didn’t commit? Where is the wisdom and common sense in that? The Apostle Mark tells us of this happening over 2000 years ago in, Mark 15:14 (NLT), “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” Few bothered to investigate the cause and allowed their emotions, fear, and ignorance lead them to stand!

Here in the south, we call that half-cocked, in which urbandictionary.com defines half-cocked as; (adjective describing behavior), Usually implies that the behavior was impulsive, done without considering the consequences. However, this coin comes with two sides, we can show up for battle (take a stand) on half-cocked (false) information or we can know the truth and stand half-cocked on it (living on the fence), doing little more than is expected. In either case, one finds themselves in the lyrics of this song as they fall for anything. As most know, effort rewards according to the energy applied. One of my sayings in the workplace was, “little motors will only turn small wheels.” The Gospel of Matthew is the parable of the wise builder who starts with a good solid foundation to build on. As we’re told in, Matthew 7:24-29 (NLT), 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Jeffrey Archer said: “Time spent on preparation is seldom wasted.” We should individually prepare to meet each day, by first meeting with Jesus!

To quote an old G I Joe saying, “knowing is half the battle.” You don’t have to be too bright to figure out what the other half is, doing what you know. We should choose to stand for Jesus, commit to knowing what He stands for. Seek to discover who He is, what He says, and what He does. Get to know Him personally, allow Him to be your friend, confide in Him and ask Him to confide in you. Learn where you fit into the kingdom of Jesus and act accordingly. Build your “now” on His foundational rock. Remember, Matthew 13:4-9 (NLT), 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Check out Matthew 13:18-23.

Father God, I ask you to help us not be half-cocked about where we stand with you. I beg of you to help us grasp Proverbs 4:6-7 (NLT), 6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. I ask you to set our spirit on fire to know more of you and to stand firmly on the wisdom you share with those who seek. Amen

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

For email version, send a request to…pal249@hotmail.com…01/23/2021