I have just finished reading a book called, “Cure for the Common Life” by Max Lucado. When I read Max, I read to absorb, not just to get through it. I am not a voracious reader and therefore tend to slow read everything. His books, to me, are very impressionable, providing cause to stop, reflect and give my own existence a good second look.

I live in a vast tristate metropolis and during this time period, the papers were filled with sensationalized scandals. Big name sports and entertainment figures embroiled in the plights of their own existences their fame perhaps their excuse for acting in such a way. . Unfortunately their private life was now public, splashed across pages of media.

In stark contrast to the contents of the book, which portrays the common life, in humdrum fashion, the monotony of chasing the pillow and the plate, the common life had become the misfortunes of the rich and famous. In a huge way the actions of the heroes we may desire to be like loses its luster in light of the commonness of their actions.

The wish to flee from the mediocrity, the common life most folks live, had shown to be the enviable choice over the common life of scandal and public exposure. The roles had been reversed where those living meaningful, productive and virtuous existences were now breathing a sigh of relief that their innermost secrets were still privately held.

The Lucado book doesn’t make the same comparison as I do and given the fact that he is an award winning, best selling author and I, well, I am not, there should be a lesson to learn. But God would not put the thought into my head, if He didn’t want me to write about it. We have lost all semblance of right and wrong, where it is acceptable to ignore the right and to embody the wrong.

the common life of hard work, faithfulness, and responsibility has been under assault by the lies of lust, greed and self indulgence. The pendulum of justice had swung clear over to the point of injustice and all that once was shunned as wholesome, was shinning brightly as the darkness and despair of the unjust became painfully evident. Now is the time to repent and unburden yourself from the sins and temptations that permeate your heart and refill them with the uplifting and encouraging words of the Savior.

Seek to set examples of virtue and goodness. Correct the wrong and straighten the paths of the crooked. Do not be tricked into accepting the ways of evil as desirable, the seduction is subtle but the fall to earth is destructive and painful and leaves you gasping for your next breath. Seek the cure for the common life, it is revealed, promised and glorified in the pages, through the words of the Bible, God’s truth. Find mercy and goodness that will follow you all the days of your common life.