GOOD THINKING: HORSE SENSE, COMMON SENSE LEAD TO GOD

"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." so said John Heywood.

Then there are those people who "...have not sense enough to come in out of the rain." Thus wrote Thomas More.

How tempting it is to concentrate one's attention on the horse that refuses to drink, or the person who refuses to live the Godly life. Neither will be changed, either by persuasion or by force. Until they "come to their senses," there is nothing anyone can do.

Rather, let us concentrate our attention on the horse that eats and drinks his fill and returns to work again! Let us rejoice and thank God for those persons who have "come to their senses" and have embraced the "good life" God offers!

Unfortunately, it's the horse who stubbornly refuses to eat or drink that makes the Evening News. Why does he refuse to cooperate? Perhaps he was abused as a colt. Perhaps he was forced or perhaps he has a stubborn streak.

Unfortunately, it's the people who reject the Godly life who appear on the 10 o'clock news. Why do these persons steal and kill? Why are they corrupt and unfaithful? Someone else has made them do these terrible things; they are blameless.

There is such a thing as "horse sense." The horses I've known are smart! When food and water are readily available, no sensible horse will ever die of thirst or starve to death!

There is such a thing as "common sense." Alexander Pope termed it "...the gift of Heaven." The people I've known who have made a positive contribution to their community and have changed the world with their goodness, are people who have used the "good sense" God has given to them!

God has invited each person to the Grand Banquet! The Hall of the King is richly decorated. Each person who attends is given the finest clothes to wear. The menu offers us a choice of the best in food and drink. We have the opportunity to mingle with Royalty. No sensible person would refuse the invitation, especially since the invitation comes from the God of Creation!

Dr. Kuehle is a retired United Methodist minister.