BEING SOBER June 30, 2020

During these difficult times, when the whole world is under the ever-increasing and worsening contagion of the CoViD-19 pandemic, we need to think clearly and act wisely.  As it is, true characters are exposed, many people we pay attention to before (because we thought they know better), have proven themselves now as not really knowing much at all. Some of whom we saw as composed and collected in ordinary times, have broken down, every day getting worse and sounding more incoherent and seemed to not be thinking properly and logically when the crisis deepened.

Added to the ever-deadlier peril to health and life, the whole world is seeing a reawakening of values at the very core of which is respect for life—not only ours and those of our kin, but especially those who do not look or live like us.  And at no time has truth and love for fellowman and care for the underprivileged been needed so badly.

The Word today in the book of Proverbs chapter 20 shares with us King Solomon’s thoughts on what wise living is like, versus what it is not.  And he started with the first verse by saying that we must be wise about consumption of wine or strong drink, because it is a deceiver—causing us to rage and rant without comprehension and leading other people to mock or ridicule us.  Unfortunately, there are a few people who, even when they have not imbibed any spirit of alcohol, probably with the threat of the disease and the disintegration of the order by which they have ruled their lives and those around them, seem to have developed clouded senses and poorly informed judgments about what to do, and how to respond properly and judiciously, to the daily challenges the crisis is throwing at them and at all of us.

And the rest of the chapter shows the manifestations of living a life with poor judgment and an absence of good sense.  It contrasts these with a life lived with wisdom, truth, humility and integrity.  At whatever age, the Teacher advises us to live with humility, to be mindful of our own business and not to meddle unnecessarily and unfruitfully into the lives of others, to be industrious at work, to be faithful and humble instead of boasting about our goodness and achievements, to leave a legacy of integrity to our children, to be fair and just in our dealings with others, to not be too attached to material and worldly things, to not be deceitful, to make use of the wise advise and good counsel of many people who may present contrasting but well-informed views and expertise, to not be gossips and flatterers, to honor our parents and elders, to not be vengeful, to not go after get-rich-quick schemes but work diligently, and to learn well the lessons from our suffering and discipline.

Truly, these are tall orders, but we know from experience and observation that by doing these things, we are assured of thriving amidst any trial and suffering we are going through and may still encounter in the future.  The Word itself tells us that we can never know what will happen in the future, and we can never fully control everything, but it is only GOD who does and who will.  Verse 24 tells us that: “man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?”  This is a good reflection point from one who, as a young king, first asked GOD for wisdom, before anything else.  I believe we should emulate him too.

Only by being sober like these, can we make sure to keep our minds and character intact and strong in spite of today’s challenges, and make us worthy to leave a good legacy to the next generation.