by Rev Doc Adkins
This is a crazy thing to remember…When I was a kid I can remember a teacher telling us that anytime we went anywhere in a public building that you should always know where the exits are–that you should always make a mental note of it when you sit in your seat for whatever function it is. And I remember being told that you just don’t look for the nearest one, but that you make that mental note of all of them that you see, because for some reason you may not be able to get out at the nearest one in an emergency.
I guess that was good advice, and I have always remembered it, especially when going to a big concert or big event in a huge building. Hey! If there is going to be a mass exodus–I don’t want to be the one left behind.
Yeah. Maybe I’m just weird and nobody else thinks like that, but you always have to sit and think about something quietly while waiting for a function to start. Me? I look around and familiarize myself with the building. Okay, I look at people too. Wow! There are some strange people in this world! How about we say I’m observant, not weird.
At this time of the year we are thinking about all our plans for the New Year. It’s so easy for me to get caught up in all the little nuances of life. Little tiny details tend to slow me down so that sometimes I can’t see the big picture. I need some exits!
So I was thinking I need some exit strategies. You know, I need to be able to have some alternative plans if things don’t go too accordingly. I need something to think about to recall me to be focused on the task at hand. I need to bring myself out of the rabbit trails that I chase. I need to plan and prepare. I need to keep on a schedule and all those things. I’ve got to stop getting side-tracked because time goes so quickly.
1 Corinthians 10:13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
I know I need some exit strategies where my planning and organization is concerned, but what’s important is that for the New Year is that I don’t forget to have those exit strategies in place in my spiritual life. I have to be prepared.
My Spiritual Emergency Exit Strategies.
- Submit to God. (James 4:7)
- Have a strong prayer life. (Matthew 26:41)
- Know God’s Word. (Hebrews 4:12)
- Keep good company. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
- Be more like Christ. (Romans 13:14)
- Go in God’s strength–not my own. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
- Be watchful. (1 Peter 5:8)