A Pilgrim's Journal

	He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it;
	   Ecc. 10:8a

In the sermon on this passage, the focus was on lack of preparation, and not watching where you were going. The idea being, "Fools Rush In."

While I believe this is valid, I found it helpful to view the verse inside out. What would happen if the man did not dig the pit in the first place? Of course, he would not be able to fall into it.

This has such a practical and spiritual application, that I find myself starting to apply it to new areas.

For example, if I don't get into debt, then I can't overextend myself and go bankrupt.

If I don't buy sweets, then I can't eat them and get fat.

If I don't put myself in compromising situations, then I can't fall into adultery or fornication.

If I don't listen to negativity, from myself or others, then I'm free to remember the positive.

If I don't sign a contract with terms I don't like, then I can't be manipulated later on.

If I don't give my private data to untrusted parties, then I don't have to worry about what nefarious sorts may do with it.

If I don't drink alcohol, I can't get caught drinking and driving.

And so on.

The idea being that the little things, the little risks, the small pleasures, can end up creating risks for ourselves later that are harder to avoid than the small ones.

Of course, there are external risks that we can't manage. And there may be pits that others dig for us, too. I may receive an unexpected bill or disaster and go bankrupt that way. I might find I have some disease that causes more drastic weight gain than normal. And our bodies naturally give us desires that cannot be easily ignored. But these things are hard enough to deal with without digging pits for ourselves to avoid as well.

I find that I've spent a good chunk of my life digging pits. I dug them because they were exciting, or fun, or experimental. Or even because I thought it was the lesser of two evils. I'd think, what harm is a little pit? I can easily see it and walk around it, right? But I've spent more time than I want to admit falling into them as well.

So what pits am I digging? And are they pits that I would like to fall into later on?

It occurs to me that the answer to that question could be yes! If I'm digging a pit of goodness, then indeed, I do want to fall into it.

So I can bait my future for good by digging pits of goodness.

I can save money for a rainy day, so if I need it, I don't need debt.

I can buy wholesome food and keep my cupboards stocked, so the easy food is the good food.

I can avoid secrets, in both friendships and romance, and keep relationships in the light of day.

I can seek out inspiration, from the Bible and from friends, and encourage others, so it will return to me.

I can learn how to negotiate, and keep my affairs in order so that no contract becomes a necessity.

I can minimize the amount of private data that matters to me, so I don't have to worry, and pay with cash where appropriate.

And I can seek out activities that do not involve alcohol; activities that are more creative fun than consumptive fun.

Looks like I'd better get my shovel after all...