Runs with Scissors

It was my policy, as the administrator of a Kindergarten – 12th grade Christian school, to keep myself informed about day-to-day details of school life especially if there was a safety concern involved. Teachers are busy with classroom management and instruction, and I always stood ready to help when needed. In this particular instance, I heard about a progress report sent home by a kindergarten teacher that contained the following phrase, “Runs with scissors”. Apparently this report referred to a young student who had been warned about the danger of running with scissors, or other sharp objects in his hand, and had repeatedly ignored the admonitions of his concerned teacher.

I don’t recall how this situation was resolved that time, but the words “please walk” were a regular safety reminder regularly used in school. Some young children seem to run at every opportunity, and an assist from authorities can often help to change unsafe behavior before an injury occurs. Sometimes, I had to put some administrative muscle into the situation but other times just a plea for parental assistance was all that was needed.

This school safety situation caused me to consider spiritual issues. It could have been said of me, in my younger years “Runs with scissors, plays with matches, rides in the street, explores storm drains,” etc. Oh yes, I remember well the warnings, the discipline that followed, and the scars that came my way when I chose to do impetuous and dangerous things as a kid. I especially did not enjoy the repair work that sometimes needed to be done and the “I told you so” phrases that inevitably followed.

As a parent, I often found myself reminding and correcting my children about hazardous conduct. Simple things like riding their bikes in the street or playing with matches. At times I required them to hold my hand while crossing a busy street when they were fully capable of doing it themselves. When there was a possibility of danger I wanted them close to me, and sometimes I even carried them in my arms.

Sometimes, even now as grown-ups who should be mature both physically and spiritually, we find ourselves once again “running with scissors”. You know about engaging in potentially dangerous actions with common things of life that have a risk factor. Of course, everyday things when used properly can be helpful, but when used in the wrong way or when we get in a rush, they can have disastrous results. At times, we even dabble in things that we know are wrong. Our foolish flesh rejoices when we venture into things that do not please the Lord. Problems like this always lead us into difficult situations that negatively affect other people in our lives.

I wonder if God has made a note on your record and mine saying: “He tends to run with scissors, but I’ve got him covered by My grace.” Perhaps your scissors thing is getting too busy to spend time in God’s word, or getting too interested in the business of others, or perhaps allowing the world to set up wrong priorities in your life. Remember that grace covers the problems caused when we spiritually run with scissors. Godly wisdom would advise us not to get involved in the first place.

The Apostle Paul has given us a strong directive in the New Testament, and if we would live godly lives we should carefully heed. The other alternative would be to ignore his earnest warning and spiritually run with scissors.

Hebrews 12:1-2
12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Lord teach us to live by Your strength, so that You can write on our account, “Used to run with scissors, but now walks by grace”.

Isn’t God’s grace a wonderful thing?

Roger Allen Cook

I love to write stories about God’s grace. If you have a story I should consider, please contact me at:    roger.cook@southsidefamily.com    

Other stories can be viewed at Southside.church/grace