Jennifer Blacklock

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise”

Ephesians 5:15

One nice thing about living in New Mexico is that you’re always near nature. We can visit lakes, rivers, forests, or mountains in a 10-30 minute drive from where we are. Earlier this week, the kids got an urge to climb with ropes, so we drove to the closest state park where we explored and climbed and made rope swings in some woods beside the Rio Grande river. 

While walking among the tall cottonwood trees, we had our eyes peeled for wildlife. We were looking for things like deers and lizards (except my toddler, who was on the lookout for wolves and polar bears). While watching the leaf-covered ground we saw lizards, a tiny toad, and some strange bugs, as well as the unexpected find of the day- a baby rattlesnake! (“Woah, guys, look a little snake! Don’t worry, it’s not a rattler. Wait, yes it is, it’s rattling at us!” 😖)

All these creatures were small and well camouflaged- barely noticeable. We would have passed right by them if we hadn’t have been looking carefully.

Circumspect comes from the Latin circum and specere and literally means “to look around”. As Christians, we need to look carefully how we live; not just doing whatever “every one else” is doing but looking around, diligent and alert, at how God wants us to live.

We’ve been studying U.S. history in our homeschool and recently read from a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to his daughter, (considering her being afraid of the “end of the world”),

“If ever you are about to say anything amiss or do anything wrong, consider beforehand and you will feel something within you which will tell you it is wrong and ought not to be said or done. This is your conscience and be sure and obey it. Our Maker has given us this faithful internal monitor, and if you always obey it, you will always be prepared for the end of the world….”

Beyond a conscience, which everyone has (and should use!), followers of Jesus have the Holy Spirit! We also have the Bible, God’s word that He has preserved through the centuries to teach and guide us. We should always be looking (and listening), walking circumspectly, that we might act and speak and think and live in ways that glorify God and aim to accomplish His will.