“Muse Or Amuse?”

"Muse Or Amuse?"

    Muse or amuse?  Think or not think?  We live in a generation strongly attempted to overemphasize the proper role that relaxed amusement can have in our lives.  We may need times when innocent diversions help us to regenerate and maintain physical, emotional, and mental equilibrium.  Such practice should not occupy our main focus, however, nor should entertainment be viewed as an utter necessity on a daily basis.  Human beings do far better spiritually, morally, relationally, and in many other ways when we properly emphasize God-given responsibility as paramount in our perception of life and the practice thereof.

   "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

    

   Our spiritual enemies constantly tempt us to disengage our minds, and subsequently, our hearts and hands.  God made human beings to move, first internally, then externally.  Our primary mental engagement involves thinking in terms of God's Biblical truth: "to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).  From this source and wellspring of light, we then seek to think about the matters of life in corollary terms.  "In Thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:9).  Indeed, if with an active mind we consider God, ourselves, other people, the world, our careers, our education, our blessings, and our challenges according to the Lord's truth, we are far more likely to function well in all things for His glory, the blessing others, and our own well being.  This requires an engaged mind that, again, emphasizes musing (thinking) rather than amusement (no thinking).  "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness" (Proverbs 21:5).

    Myriads of diversions beckon to us daily, offering distractions that often deceive and discourage.  We do well to remember our Scriptural calling to use our minds and subsequently walk in our Christ-enabled and Christ-honoring calling.  "In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul" declared the Psalmist (Psalm 94:19).  He referred to those thoughts that proceed from God's Word and His Spirit, thoughts from an active mind illuminated by the Light that keeps us from the mindlessness that wastes opportunity and paralyzes our potential in Christ.

 "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man." 

(Proverbs 24:30-34)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man.

(Psalm 60:11)