Ever see those cop shows where the policeman gets the guy out of the car and asks him to walk a straight line to check if he's had too much to drink? Yeah, it can look quite comical to see the guy try to walk the line especially when he is totally unable to do so. What has happened? The person has consumed too much of a substance rendering it impossible for him to keep his focus. His brain is not able to function properly. His judgement has become clouded. He wants to walk the fine line but simply cannot. He has become a danger to himself, to others, and sadly he is oblivious to that fact.
Spiritually speaking (and you know that I would come around to that, right?) we all have a fine line to walk. Our ability to walk that fine line is dependent on what our focus is and whether or not we have allowed things in our lives that would cloud our judgement. Yes, very serious stuff. Our lives do count. We all have influence. How consistently we walk the fine line does affect ourselves and others.
What is this fine line? Matthew 7:13-14 calls it the "narrow" way. It is not called the "impossible" way, but the "narrow" way. To stay on the narrow way we have to keep our focus. What is to be our focus then? Hebrews 12:2 says we are to be "looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith". How do we 'look to Jesus'? He is "the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6). We are to be His followers on the narrow way. It is a good road to be on, not always an easy road, but a good road, the only road that leads to eternal life and peace. To follow Him we have to know how to stay on that road. He did not leave us without the road map - the Word of God, the Bible is that map! We are surrounded by many voices that attempt to woo us away from the good and narrow road, or to fall prey to extremes and half-truths. We must focus on God's voice through communication with Him (prayer) and study of His word. He promises to teach us and to lead us in the way as we keep our focus on Him.
So friends, let's not be like the drunk who wavers on and off the line, whose mind is foggy and has lost focus, who has become a danger to himself and to others. No, we have high calling in Christ. He loves us so. He has such wonderful plans and purpose for each of us. Let's keep our eyes on Him and stay on the fine line. We are not alone on that road. Let's mutually encourage each other to walk the line.
Such a good word, Mary! We need to be ever so mindful of the path that we take!
ReplyDeleteThank you for that reminder, my dear friend!! xo