Is This Necessary?

For everyone here,
including all the soldiers in the palace guard,
knows that I am in chains because of Christ.
(Philippians 1:13, NLT)

Good Morning,

At the beginning of a meeting, I asked the question, “Is this necessary?” Depending on the situation, the question may be perceived as rhetorical. In other words, the answer is “duh.” Webster’s dictionary clarifies the word, duh, as a word that is interjected to “indicate that something just stated is all too obvious or self-evident.” Apparently Webster’s dictionary has listed the word since 1966.

Is the word, duh, necessary in the English language?

There are many circumstances that are necessary; however, the necessity of the circumstance does not seem obvious. For example, the Apostle Paul imprisoned for his faith, wrote that the imprisonment was necessary:

For everyone here including all the soldiers in the palace guard:
Paul, guarded by soldiers, spoke and wrote of Christ Jesus as he served time in prison. Certainly, Paul would never been invited to speak to the Roman soldiers outside of the prison. Most likely they went home to tell family and friends about the Good News that changes lives. Additionally, prison provided Paul the time to write about living life in Christ.

Knows that I am in chains because of Christ:
It was known that Paul’s imprisonment occurred because he chose to live for Christ. His life became a profound message.

Was Paul’s imprisonment necessary?

Evaluate the “duh” factor in your day—thoughts, words, actions, and circumstances:
What is necessary?
What is unnecessary?

Learning with you to choose what is necessary,
Kerrie

(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)