Before

"Develop your business before building your house."  Proverbs 24:27

On more occasions than I care to remember, I've made the mistake of "after". You know this mistake don't you? We speak to our spouse after we commit to an activity. We determine an item is beyond our budget after we purchase it. We're told the position is actually not a sure thing after we quit our job. We discover a course of action is unwise after we are unable to turn back. Yikes!  It upsets our stomach just thinking about it.  

The writer of this proverb was no stranger to this same gut-wrenching error.  His counsel?  In a word - "before".  The principle of "before" will save us countless headaches and sleepless nights.  Before we act, wait.  Before we speak, think.  Before we commit, count the cost.  Before anything and everything, pray.

There are at least two action steps that flow from this conversation.  First, it's time to quit trying to justify and excuse our "after" decisions.  Admit them.  Own them.  Confess them.  Ask for forgiveness.  Second, determine to employ the "before" principle for the decisions we are making now and will in the future.  The most critical example of them all is to be sure that Jesus is your Savior before you stand in his presence.

Grace and Peace,

Tom
Location: Fall Creek Christian Church, 1102 West 700 South, Pendleton, IN 46064, USA

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