Walking that fine line
Have you ever walked a straight line? I'm talking about walking on a painted on the pavement type straight line here. Unless your balance is tip-top, you waver every once in a while, if you're me, you look like a professional drunk. My internal gyroscope just can't stay centered.
Every day we as Christians walk a fine line. Some days we can walk that puppy with no problems, other days, we have toe-dips here, foot faults there, and ultimately we look back and give a sigh of relief that the line you were walking has more than a few scuff marks, and maybe a stray fingernail or two that you bit off, but it is thankfully, part of our past.
But consider this. In this world, we walk a fine line every day. Whether it is listening to music that isn't encouraging or uplifting, having a bit of road rage as you are blocked in on all sides, behind someone who is doing ten miles an hour below the speed limit...in the left lane. When you finally get up beside them, you find it wasn't the little old man/lady who can barely see over the steering wheel, but a much younger model, holding their cell phone with one hand, the other (thankfully) on the wheel. That one's a tough one, I get caught in that trap a lot.
How about when you're in a grocery line, and the person in front of you turns and gives you a slight smile, do you smile back? Do you engage in conversation?
Or how about that movie or t.v. show you've been waiting for? The content isn't what was advertised, and there are questionable words or actions...do you get up and walk away, or turn the channel, or do you continue to watch?
In this world of ever challenging politics, if someone is on the opposite side of the fence from you, do you dismiss them or do you continue to talk to them, hopefully, in a friendly manner?
All of these examples are tough. We could go with our flesh and lash out, scream, yell, and have all kinds of hissy fits. We could sit there, popcorn in hand and continue to watch something that is questionable. We could argue until the cows come home with those of differing opinions (even though you know you're right), or ignore the person who you may have admired in the past or had been friends with just because of their opinions.
I struggle with this, daily. My biggest issue, other than the disgusted look at the driver with the cell, is how do I deal with someone who has a more liberal opinion, has a different take on gender, abortion, gun laws, etc? Do I shove that person aside, and cease communication? Do I argue back that God's way is the only way (which, of course it is)? Do I shut down every ounce of me because they're different?
I prayed about this fervently last night, and ended up falling asleep mid sentence on God. I'm in a quandary about something I found out, and, though I admire this person for their professional skills, I am sorely disappointed in their personal skills. It's a pretty foggy area, that one is. I find myself looking back at all of the individuals in this profession in times past, and can find fault with each and every one of them. Except Mr. Rogers, and Howdy Doody...maybe even Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Rin Tin Tin. Lassie doesn't count, because he portrayed a girl. If we were to dig even lightly into every celebrity, whether it is sports, actors, political (I know, I know), or even persons that have had influence in our lives, we're going to see flaws. Some are not too bad, some are glaring, others are so obvious you wonder how they live with themselves.
We live in such a polarized world that the last two examples are the norm. We no longer have filters. We no longer have boundaries. We no longer have God as the center of our lives. Sure there are some who strive to walk according to His Word, but that is the minority rather than the majority. We can make a difference by being that shining light upon the hill, paying it forward, doing for others without wanting something back. But what about the outspoken ones? The ones for gay rights, who hate a certain political party, or person, the one who supports abortion or euthanasia? The one thing that keeps sticking in my mind, right or wrong, is what the Apostle Paul said to the Romans:
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
However, previously in the chapter he says this:
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2,17-18.
We are called to be in this world, not of it...that is an extremely fine line. Now, I'm not advocating that you engage in activities or speech that is contrary to how the Holy Spirit is leading you. What I am saying is to make sure every doubt is covered with prayer, seek His will, and then, even if you don't like the direction (because you really want to go there), you will, without a doubt be at peace with it.
Make sure every question is set before the Father's feet.
We are called to love the sinner and hate the sin. Another fine line to walk. How many times does that translate to the person as a whole and we abandon intercession? We refuse to help in any manner? These are all tough questions that I have a hard time answering, but God, who knows even our most intimate thoughts and actions, doesn't have a hard time at all. The only thing I can suggest is that when these situations come up, and they will, that our first thought isn't an action or reaction, but to place it in Jesus' capable hands...let Him help you through, away, or around it.
I hope I didn't run you all in a tight little circle with this one, it has just been on my heart and mind since last night.
If you're walking a fine line, and see that you may not be able to stay on task, give it to God, ask Him to go before you and clear your path. Ask Him to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart of compassion to love. The rest will fall into place.
Every day we as Christians walk a fine line. Some days we can walk that puppy with no problems, other days, we have toe-dips here, foot faults there, and ultimately we look back and give a sigh of relief that the line you were walking has more than a few scuff marks, and maybe a stray fingernail or two that you bit off, but it is thankfully, part of our past.
But consider this. In this world, we walk a fine line every day. Whether it is listening to music that isn't encouraging or uplifting, having a bit of road rage as you are blocked in on all sides, behind someone who is doing ten miles an hour below the speed limit...in the left lane. When you finally get up beside them, you find it wasn't the little old man/lady who can barely see over the steering wheel, but a much younger model, holding their cell phone with one hand, the other (thankfully) on the wheel. That one's a tough one, I get caught in that trap a lot.
How about when you're in a grocery line, and the person in front of you turns and gives you a slight smile, do you smile back? Do you engage in conversation?
Or how about that movie or t.v. show you've been waiting for? The content isn't what was advertised, and there are questionable words or actions...do you get up and walk away, or turn the channel, or do you continue to watch?
In this world of ever challenging politics, if someone is on the opposite side of the fence from you, do you dismiss them or do you continue to talk to them, hopefully, in a friendly manner?
All of these examples are tough. We could go with our flesh and lash out, scream, yell, and have all kinds of hissy fits. We could sit there, popcorn in hand and continue to watch something that is questionable. We could argue until the cows come home with those of differing opinions (even though you know you're right), or ignore the person who you may have admired in the past or had been friends with just because of their opinions.
I struggle with this, daily. My biggest issue, other than the disgusted look at the driver with the cell, is how do I deal with someone who has a more liberal opinion, has a different take on gender, abortion, gun laws, etc? Do I shove that person aside, and cease communication? Do I argue back that God's way is the only way (which, of course it is)? Do I shut down every ounce of me because they're different?
I prayed about this fervently last night, and ended up falling asleep mid sentence on God. I'm in a quandary about something I found out, and, though I admire this person for their professional skills, I am sorely disappointed in their personal skills. It's a pretty foggy area, that one is. I find myself looking back at all of the individuals in this profession in times past, and can find fault with each and every one of them. Except Mr. Rogers, and Howdy Doody...maybe even Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Rin Tin Tin. Lassie doesn't count, because he portrayed a girl. If we were to dig even lightly into every celebrity, whether it is sports, actors, political (I know, I know), or even persons that have had influence in our lives, we're going to see flaws. Some are not too bad, some are glaring, others are so obvious you wonder how they live with themselves.
We live in such a polarized world that the last two examples are the norm. We no longer have filters. We no longer have boundaries. We no longer have God as the center of our lives. Sure there are some who strive to walk according to His Word, but that is the minority rather than the majority. We can make a difference by being that shining light upon the hill, paying it forward, doing for others without wanting something back. But what about the outspoken ones? The ones for gay rights, who hate a certain political party, or person, the one who supports abortion or euthanasia? The one thing that keeps sticking in my mind, right or wrong, is what the Apostle Paul said to the Romans:
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
However, previously in the chapter he says this:
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2,17-18.
We are called to be in this world, not of it...that is an extremely fine line. Now, I'm not advocating that you engage in activities or speech that is contrary to how the Holy Spirit is leading you. What I am saying is to make sure every doubt is covered with prayer, seek His will, and then, even if you don't like the direction (because you really want to go there), you will, without a doubt be at peace with it.
Make sure every question is set before the Father's feet.
We are called to love the sinner and hate the sin. Another fine line to walk. How many times does that translate to the person as a whole and we abandon intercession? We refuse to help in any manner? These are all tough questions that I have a hard time answering, but God, who knows even our most intimate thoughts and actions, doesn't have a hard time at all. The only thing I can suggest is that when these situations come up, and they will, that our first thought isn't an action or reaction, but to place it in Jesus' capable hands...let Him help you through, away, or around it.
I hope I didn't run you all in a tight little circle with this one, it has just been on my heart and mind since last night.
If you're walking a fine line, and see that you may not be able to stay on task, give it to God, ask Him to go before you and clear your path. Ask Him to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart of compassion to love. The rest will fall into place.
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