- 1 Timothy 3:2 (NKJV) A bishop then must be sober minded…
Yesterday’s “One thing” had to do with not being given to wine. Maybe today’s One Thing explains why wine drinking was an issue: A bishop must be “sober minded.”
Being sober-minded doesn’t mean that you can’t laugh and live joyfully. Sober mindedness is not going around with a long face always bemoaning the woes and cares of life. What being sober-minded does require is that you live your life keeping things in context.
For example, a sober-minded person sits down to a nice meal and enjoys it, but is mindful that there are many in the world that are not as fortunate. In other words, they understand that with each blessing comes a responsibility.
A sober-minded person, while full of laughter and joy is never flippant and shallow. They realize that laughter is usually mingled with tears. They understand that around them are many needs and hurts and their purpose in life is not to just have fun but to be a source of hope and encouragement.
A sober-minded person is aware of the price of things. For example, we USAmericans value the pursuit of happiness. A sober-minded American remembers that the many privileges that we can pursue in our great country have been purchased with the blood, sweat and tears of many fellow Americans.
A sober-minded person, while enjoying the moment, remembers eternity. They weigh the pleasures of the present in light of the cost of Calvary and the approaching accounting that all must give before their Creator.
Bottom line, being sober-minded means that you see the big picture.
I remember viewing the Vietnam Veteran’s War memorial in Raleigh, NC a few years ago. The memorial depicts soldiers attempting to rescue a fallen comrade from enemy fire. The lines of agony and exertion were masterfully carved into the faces of the statues.As I was standing at that sacred spot, a group of fellow tourist came up. They were loud and irreverent. They climbed up on the statues getting their pictures taken. They cracked jokes and were having a “jolly good time.” They had the right to do so, I suppose, but their laughter sounded hollow that day in light of the tremendous price that had been paid for them to have that liberty.
A little sober mindedness would have dampened their laughter but would have increased greatly the measure of their joy and gratitude.
The ONE THING 