“Be sober minded and alert…” 1 Peter 5.

The Bible is adamant that we be sober minded. Does that mean somberness?

The opposite of sober is drunk. Recall Jesus warned us as the bad servant was poorly caring for the master’s house. The servant was drunk and beat the servants. He needed sober mindedness. How are we drunken apart from alcohol? Was it really alcohol that Jesus was aiming at?

We become drunk when we think we have all the time in the world to get our poop in a group and do business with God. We are drunk in soul when we think we have all the time in the world before we really need to get serious. Drunk souls lose track of time. Sober souls know they must stay alert and open-eyed. Their time is for investing in a relationship with the bridegroom and cultivating his voice. They are able to obey because they hear with some clarity the voice that commands. Drunkenness stupefies. Commands are unheeded and disobeyed. Anyone is your best friend. And time is for pleasure.

Somber spirit is never praised in the Bible except in seasons of repentance. Otherwise, and afterwards the season is joy. So the sober are filled with joy and the somber are sure they serve the lord by frowns, not gladness.

If we would be a ready people we would replace our alcohol of soul with a smile on our face as we wait.