We have all heard or used the expression "Watch your p's & q's." It comes from an old printer's axiom. Back in the early days of printing presses, each line of text had to be set up one letter at a time. Since the letters in the press were reversed (so they'd print forward), the print-maker (or typographer) needed to be careful not to confuse one letter for the other. Reminding someone to "watch his p's and q's" means to pay attention to the details.
Paul could have used that expression in Ephesians 5:3-17. In the Christian walk it is easy to wander from the path God has laid out before us. Our enemy is constantly providing side paths to attract our attention. We must really focus to stay within God's will. Paul suggests three areas that need our attention. First he admonishes us to maintain purity in expression by avoiding the unclean and unfitting practices that so strongly draw us. Then we are counseled to practice propriety in our relationships, making sure we don't become participants with those whose wisdom is vain and filled with darkness. Finally, we are encouraged to have purpose in our activities by walking circumspectly and redeeming the time.
We must daily examine the p's & q's of our life style to make sure they are a testimony appropriate for our Savior and that our path is God's path. One of my former high school students was once asked why she wasn't more interested in dating. She responded, "I have been called to be a missionary and I cannot allow myself to be distracted by getting involved in dating." She was watching her p's & q's. Today she is a missionary in China. God has honored her careful focus on his will. He will do the same for each of us as we focus our lives on him.
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