Daily Devotional for August 30, 2022

This past Sunday, I preached a brilliant sermon on Eutychus.  He’s the young man that drifted off to sleep as Paul preached and then fell out a third story window to his death.  (Acts 20:7-12)
 
Knowing no one ever has trouble staying awake in my sermons, I said, “Remember, you are in God’s house. Raise your hand if you’ve ever had trouble staying awake in my sermons.”
 
David’s hand shot up so fast, I am sure he dislocated his shoulder.
 
Ted raised both hands and waved them back and forth so much, he looked like a windmill.
 
Jerry just raised one finger.  (I still don’t understand what that meant.)
 
I was hurt.  
 
At that moment, I realized my mistake.  I should have thought that through before asking anyone to raise their hands.  The mistake was mine.
 
But now that I think about it, most of my mistakes happen when I make hasty decisions without thinking through the consequences.  I should have engaged my brain before I put my mouth in gear.
 
The wisest of all people said, “Do you see someone who speaks in haste?  There is more hope for a fool than for them.”  (Proverbs 29:20)
 
The best advice I can give is be slow and thoughtful before you open your mouth.  Once the words are out there, there’s no taking them back.
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please guide my thoughts and words.  I pray my decisions bring you joy.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.
 
Think before you speak.
 
One more thing.  Now that I had more time to process all the hands in the air this past Sunday, I know what they were doing.
 
The wonderful members of my congregation know what a great preacher I am but they want to keep me humble.
 
My greatest attribute is my humility.
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins