The Plumbline

Someone once said "faith" has a twin - "doubt". Is it possible that maybe "faith" has a triplet brother - "fear"? Doubt and fear reside alongside each other so much of the time. We may not want to admit it, but when we are doubtful, we have an element of fear that begins to creep into our thoughts and affect our emotions. Doubt leads us to take certain actions or respond in a specific manner. Fear is part of that reaction to doubt. If a large, ferocious looking dog approached me at a dead run, I probably don't have any need to have a sign over the dog's head that tells me I am about to get mauled! Some things we just 'fear' because we have absolutely no doubt about their intent! At other times, doubt just barely creeps in like the tiny chihuahua pattering our way who looks harmless, but when close enough, those teeth can nip at our heels - maybe not with as much power as the huge over-powering dog, but they can still do damage. If...

Do you know what it means to be "vigilant"?  In the simplest sense it means we are so watchful over something that danger cannot ever "creep up" on us.  Most times, we don't find "danger" just coming up on us in the spur of the moment, as when a car comes speeding down on us from the wrong side of the road, in course with the front end of our car.  Most of the time, we find "danger" creeps in - little by little, until we are almost consumed by the danger without really having noticed its approach.   Keep vigilant watch over your heart;   that’s where life starts.   Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;   avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.   Keep your eyes straight ahead;   ignore all sideshow distractions.   Watch your step,   and the road will stretch out smooth before you.   Look neither right nor left;      leave evil in the dust.  (Proverbs 4:23-27 MSG) Think of carbon monoxide...