READY: “Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.” -Proverbs 4:26
SET: Driving down the road yesterday I saw something that made me take notice. Coming toward me was a middle-aged man running against traffic. Now, that did not bother me so much; I see that all the time. But what I found strange was that he had his iPod on and was running right on the edge of the cars. Then I broke out in laughter because not 10 feet from him on his left was a beautiful well-groomed sidewalk, on which there was not a single person.
After I stopped laughing, God spoke to me. “What’s so funny,” I felt Him asking. “You do that all the time.” I respectfully replied, “I do not. I don’t even run anymore.” OK, it’s probably not a great idea to get sarcastic with the Creator of the world. I knew where He was going. He reminded me of the sin in my life and how many times I run/walk/live on the edge of sin when He (the Creator of the perfect path) has given me a clear and safe sidewalk.
Why is it that we, like this iPoded man, run in harm’s way on the edge of sin? Maybe we think we can stay on the edge and never go over it. But the creator of all sin does not play fair, and he will do anything he can to bring us to the brink of destruction. Proverbs 4:26 tell us to mark out a straight path for our feet and stay on the safe path—the path God intends for us.
What is running on the edge to you? Maybe it is the party everyone goes to after the game, being alone with your boyfriend/girlfriend, or staying up late and watching something on TV. I don’t know what the edge is for you, but you do! Running on the sidewalk of life may not be appealing, but it is the safest place to be. God provides us with a safe path. Our job is to run/walk/live in it.
GO:
1. When was the last time you were running on the edge in life?
2. What are those areas in your life that tend to drag you to the edge?
3. Daily, how can you run/walk/live on the safe path with Christ?
WORKOUT:
Psalms 1:6
Proverbs 4:27
1 Corinthians 10:13
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jere Johnson is a FCA staff member from Chicago area. If you would like to contact Jere, please e-mail him at jerejohnson@fca.org.
