Toeing the Line

by | Mar 30, 2015 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

IMG_3898Living wisely is hard to do.  (In case you didn’t know that!)

It’s not that having or attaining knowledge is all that hard, but the humility that comes along with wisdom throws most of us for a loop!

I don’t know about you, but I don’t find myself being all that humble very often.

In fact, most of the time I am walking along, minding my own business, and CRASH!!!!  Life can fall apart quickly and sin can infiltrate the strongest of Christians.

Without constant reflection, habitual bible reading and a strong prayer life – our lives speed out of control without our even knowing we were on the brink of devastation.

The problem lies in placement of our priorities.   Seeking wealth, success and accomplishments create a life all about US.  However, a life pursuing God’s Will takes US out of the equation and places others above ourselves.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. … Philippians 2:3-11

My bible study revealed an “aha” moment for me this past week when the speaker said, “We cannot stand with one foot in the world and one in heaven.”

Wow!  How many times do we try to do this balancing act of a little good mixed in with a little bad…which makes a whole lot of confused.

The world deceives us and we deceive ourselves on a regular basis about what is really important and RIGHT for us.

We tell ourselves that it’s okay to live on the line because we won’t cross it.  The problem is that it’s way too EASY to slip off the edge into the dark side, which leads to shame, fear, conflict and resentment.

I’ve recently struggled with this gray area.

As I’ve told you before, I gave up alcohol for Lent.  Unfortunately, I have failed miserably in my attempt to sacrifice something for God this year.

I don’t know if it was spring break, evening gatherings, tough days or the recent pool weather (finally)!  Whatever the culprit – which was my weakness and lack of commitment – I chose to forego my sacrifice and instead, indulge my selfish desires.

It was so easy to do, too.

I’m saddened at my failure and even more heartbroken that I fed myself the lies of the world:

  1. It’s okay.
  2. God understands.
  3. God wants me to be happy.
  4. I’m not hurting anyone.
  5. I’m human, so, oh well.

These excuses do not ever excuse us.

It, once again, shows me how much we need Jesus Christ in our lives.  We will forever need a Savior because we absolutely stink at getting it right!

So, as we begin Holy Week, I’m reminded that Jesus can and will wash my sins away…all I have to do is ask!

What do you need forgiveness for?  Have you asked Jesus for it?

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

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