The Uncommon Use of Common Sense

In my many years of attending faculty meetings, I found them to be both informative and boring. Every so often something would happen that enlivened the meeting. In one such meeting during a curriculum discussion a favorite colleague of mine said, “What we really need is a course in common sense.” Unaware of how such a course would fit into a theological curriculum, there was silence in the room. Then he added, “Unfortunately, we have no one on the faculty qualified to teach the course.” A few of us laughed – partly because it was funny and partly because he was at least partially correct. A frequently observed anonymous quote seen on social media sites these days says, “Common sense is a flower that doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden.” Well said. I often said to students in my classes, it doesn’t matter how much theology you learn here, if you miss three things, you will fail in ministry – how to pray, how to use common sense, and how to laugh at yourself. Unfortunately, I’ve seen far too much failure due to a lack of common sense. While earlier versions use the word “wisdom” The Message paraphrases Colossians 3:16, “Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.” The use of common sense is far too uncommon, and the failure to use it, is unbiblical. Think about it!

Join me this week in remembering the following global concerns:
• Pray for Darrel who will be teaching a class at the nearby Hungarian medical university on personal professional development, opening up the door for great connections, conversations, and sharing with both students and staff.
• Give thanks for 600+ who attended the Send North America Experience Tour in Vancouver, Canada last week and pray for those whom God called out.
• Pray for approximately 327,000 Polish people living in Germany. Many have moved there for work and economic reasons, but have not been engaged with the gospel.