Just Because You Can...

This weekend I was thinking of an adage that I try to adhere to. It goes like this, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

Example 1: Just because you wear a size four and therefore can fit into all of the most trendy teenage clothes, doesn't mean you should (think 65 years old...or maybe just 56).

Example 2: Just because you can grow your hair long, doesn't mean you should (think long and stringy vs. short and stylish).

Example 3: Just because you can afford to spend $100,000 on your kid's first birthday party doesn't mean you should (think Hollywood).

Example 4: Just because you can dress up like Elvis and stand on the street corner and dance, doesn't mean you should (I kid you not, I saw it this weekend).

As I was ruminating over these examples, God brought to mind one of the lessons that we recently studied in our neighborhood Bible study. The lesson was on how the Holy Spirit leads each one of us personally and individually. We looked at Romans 14:16 where Paul explains how one man's faith allows him to do some things where another man's faith might limit his actions. The point was that just because one person can do something with a clear conscience, doesn't necessarily mean that he should do it (especially if it would cause another to stumble).

Simply put, we do not live in a vacuum, and as often as not, our actions impact others. So, sometimes it is helpful to run through the can/should sequence before we act.

So, if you are ever tempted to put on the old Elvis outfit and head to the nearest street corner, please, please remember that you really shouldn't!