I have seen those videos online of forklift accidents causing rows of shelves to collapse like dominos. In fact, every forklift operator I have met knows of those videos and have told me of their own near misses. But behind their embarrassed smiles is that resolve to avoid harm. They speak of the enemies of the job – distractions caused by booze, drugs, anger, and incompetence. They do not want to have their names or consciences marred by such things. Prevention is key!
Too many of us look back on times where our desires and dreams have collapsed like dominos. If we could go back and change things we would, but like all things behind us, the best we can do is fix what we can fix and learn from mistakes made.
There is a lot to be said for the “I won’t do that again!” motto in life. But better still is the practice of tagging “Sin” and “Peace” as being mutually exclusive. Nothing brings our life tumbling down faster than believing that the distractions of sin can bring peace to our hearts.
This, of course, is easier said than done. For admitting that peace excludes everything that puts the soul in jeopardy is to call out many a vice for what it is. It doesn’t take much to conclude that specific sins move us away from the presence of the Prince of Peace.
We must remember that as much as Jesus has created a place of peace for his followers—the church—he doesn’t control them while in it. Every Christian must “fight” to keep that peace which surpasses all understanding from destroying us from within or from without.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
John Staiger
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