First Baptist Church of Herndon

Crossing the line

Linda Soller | Nov 09, 2015

There it is, the line we see clearly, the line between doing the right thing and doing the wrong thing. It may as well be florescent yellow because we can’t miss it. Actually I don’t think missing it is the issue, I think choosing to cross the line is the issue. For most of us it isn’t a question of knowing where the line is or even what the right action is, but the question is do we cross the line. Our toes right up against it, and a powerful urge pushing us to step over, we struggle with the decision almost every day. Okay so maybe we aren’t facing anything too serious. Maybe it’s the ice cream which we know we shouldn’t eat at 10:00 p.m. Yet there we stand, staring at it in the freezer, knowing the chocolate sauce is just above in the refrigerator, and they are both calling our name. The yellow line at our feet, the warning light on the freezer door, our hand wrapped firmly around the handle, the conversation starts.

“Okay so I shouldn’t have the ice cream, I’m not even a big fan of ice cream, I didn’t walk my 10,000 steps, and tomorrow I may get in even fewer. But I will certainly walk more than enough the next day so as long as I don’t eat it both nights it will work out.” The ice cream with chocolate sauce is devoured. Where is the satisfaction?

Sound familiar? We see the line and we manage to justify in our minds that we simply can’t resist the temptation to cross it. Someone makes a remark that rubs you the wrong way and you slash out with your own little dig, thinking this will show them. What exactly will it show them, your true nature, or everyone makes uncalled for remarks just like them so it’s okay? Unfortunately, most of us realize we have crossed the line, just after we do it. We come up with excuses, some are pretty believable, but in reality we know we did the wrong thing. Crossing the line is a choice. Excuses and justifications may come in different levels of validity, but they are still excuses.

We pray to God for strength and support to do the right things and live the life He would have us live. The Holy Spirit is with us guiding us along and pointing us in the right direction, but ultimately we decide. We feel good about the big things like not killing people, or committing adultery, and so on. Yet routinely, I dare say daily, we fail miserably in the small stuff. But, there is good news here. A line is just that. It can be crossed in both directions, when we stray to the wrong side we are invited back to the right side. For every time we see it there taunting us, we can choose to walk away. So swallow those mean words. Slowly take your hand off the freezer door. One step at a time back away from the line. Remind yourself when tempted the next time, choosing to cross the line is just that, a choice. You can do it! God will help.

Have a great week! :o)  Linda