I always thought this was a scripture, but it turns out it’s not. This common saying is actually an interpretation of Paul’s words in Romans 14:7. “For none of us lives for himself alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.” I thought about this verse earlier this week when I saw the local news conducting an online poll regarding fireworks. They wanted to gauge how many people were planning to shoot fireworks outside their home for July 4. I, personally, love fireworks, but due to my fear of fire…I like to go to fireworks’ shows, I don't shoot them myself. Additionally, I am afraid when my amateur neighbors shoot fireworks, themselves, too. The news interviewed a Desert Storm veteran who had decided to retreat to a campground in a no-fireworks-zone for July 4. It saddened me a bit to see this story. Our veterans have fought for our freedom, but can’t stay at home to celebrate Independence Day because of the memories and feelings brought on by the sounds of fireworks. Last year, during Bible Study Fellowship we discussed Romans 14:7 (above) and 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 which states, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” One of my group members shared that when her father was elected as a deacon of their church, he stopped drinking beer. He felt that if someone who knew he was a deacon, saw him buying beer, that although he wasn’t planning to drink himself drunk, that person could have overcome alcoholism, and seeing the deacon with alcohol in his shopping cart, might cause that person to slip back into sin. We all thought that was profound. We discussed how noble her father was to be so considerate and mindful of situations others could be facing. I’ve been hearing fireworks, which tend to resemble gunfire, since about June 25. The true warzone sounds, were on July 4, but the fireworks have not yet stopped, entirely, I say “true warzone sounds,” but I have no military experience. I can only imagine the sounds of war, and I am sure my imagination falls short. If I ever had to run for my life to escape enemy fire, or spent days in an underground bunker hearing booms and tiny objects whizzing by, or if I had seen my friends lose limbs or die by stepping on a mine, I might not be too amused by fireworks. In the name of fun, we tend to forget about those who have seen the rocket’s red glare, and heard the bombs bursting in air, first- hand. As we shoot our fireworks, we not only forget about our veterans, but we also neglect to realize they experienced these things for the purpose of our independence and freedom. Although lawful, what last resorts does our fun cause our neighbors to take? Our neighbors are not all veterans, we have neighbors who have babies they are trying to soothe, dogs that get agitated, and some are elderly and need their rest, others need to sleep because they have to work. What measures are we causing them to take? Although we are within our legal rights, some of our choices can negatively impact our neighbors. As we study these verses let’s all realize that we don't just live for ourselves. We must understand that our actions can and do impact others. Thank you for reading, Stay positive this week! Kim Copyright 2018 by Kimberly Griffith Anderson My first blog post was on July 2, 2017, so it has been a year!
Please pray for me, that God will continue to give me something positive to post each week going forward. Quite often, I am asked about my writing process as others seem to want to start writing, too. For that reason, I've written an ebook titled, Start Writing - Unleash Your Inner Author. Best of all, it's FREE! Just click, download, print, staple, and Start Writing!
1 Comment
D. Floyd
7/8/2018 10:38:33 pm
Thanks again for sharing, I just had a similar situation today. When we try to do good evil is some where ready to make a move. I am so thankful to God that we can move pass some unpleasant situation. We should always be concern about one another and what can affect them. Because we are our brothers keeper and our brothers,brothers. God blessings! Keep writing!
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If you like this style of writing, you will enjoy Turn North: A 30-Day Devotional and Journal written by the author of this blog.
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