Hanging by a Thread

“With you here, baby, I am strong, no sign of weakness. With you gone, baby, I am hanging by a thread”

(Nickel Creek — This Side)

Have you ever felt stretched too thin? Ever felt like you’re about two seconds away from total emotional, mental and spiritual meltdown? How do we get there? More importantly, how do we come back from that edge? Often we’re in this situation due to the build-up of day-to-day stress and busyness which seems to engulf us. Other times, it’s just us. It’s you and me who make the decision to live outside of God’s parameters and live for ourselves for a while. And things get out of whack!

Let’s first address the latter situation. When we choose to go rogue — go on without God, even for a little while, we know it. We can sense the lack of His presence. I believe He’s made us that way. David felt it in Psalm 51, after his sin with Bathsheba: “Wash away my guilt…for I am conscious of my rebellion…create a clean heart for me…do not banish me from Your presence…” (Ps 51:3–11 HCSB).

The contemporary bluegrass band, Nickel Creek, penned the opening words of this article. It’s so true isn’t it?! With God dismissed from our lives, we’re hanging by a thread. When He’s with us, assured by our faith in His Word and our faithfulness to Him, there’s no sign of weakness. So, we cling to Him. David was also familiar with that aspect of his faith. In Ps 18:21 he says, “For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not turned from my God to wickedness.”God doesn’t leave us. We leave Him.

Which brings us to the first of the two scenarios mentioned above: what do we do when life presses in and leaves us breathless, leaves us feeling, to steal from Bilbo Baggins, “like butter scraped over too much bread”? We haven’t left God — life has just turned on us! Truthfully, there are no easy answers. But, there’s One to whom we can turn. Paul, in Phil 4:7, makes it clear: “And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Does that mean life’s challenges just go away when we recall our relationship with God? No. But, it’s a comfort in difficult times, isn’t it? Knowing God loves us (John 3:16), wants our troubles (1 Pet 5:7), and wants the best for us (1 Tim 2:4) should be reassuring in the worst times. Scripture reminds us over and over…when He’s here, because of and through Him — not because of who we are — we can be strong…no sign of weakness.

Back to Family

BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILY

Let me just admit right up front: last year at this time I wrote a very similar article – not the exact same, but similar. (Yes, I’m admitting to plagiarizing myself!) But the same notions always hit me this time of year. Summer is so fondly anticipated…then it’s gone! Then, sadly for many 6 years old and up, school is back in session. It’s a bittersweet thing for me. I love summer, love my kids being out of school and home (for now), love the vacations and events of summer. However, I can’t deny the desire to get back to a “normal” schedule. What does that entail for you? Back to school means…what? Back to routine; back to homework; back to normal office hours – maybe all the above. Let me encourage you: make it also mean back to consistent times of worship with the Lord and your church family.

            In Mark 12:30 Jesus reminds us our devotion and love for God is to be with all our being – “…love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind and with all your strength” (ESV). Jesus says we’re to love God with all our time, effort and energy. It’s easy to get distracted from our spiritual lives. It’s easy to forget to spend time in God’s word and to forget to devote some time to prayer. And it’s easy to get in the habit of missing worship assemblies. One who truly commits to loving God with their all, however, will embrace every opportunity to spend time with Him and with His people. We all know there’s no “have-to” command to assemble on every Sunday night and Wednesday night. But, the real question is: why wouldn’t you?! Why not take advantage of each chance to be fed from God’s word and to fellowship with your Christian family? I suppose you can say you don’t “have to” be in worship services every time we assemble (although, truthfully, I’m not sure then what Heb 10:24-25 means…). Regardless, brothers and sister, let me strongly encourage you: make this time of back to school and back to schedules also mean back to deeper devotion to God and to His family – to your church family. You may not need to be in your worship assembly every single time; but, I need you there. You’re my family.

Slipping and Falling

As I was driving in to work this morning I saw a sight we’ve probably all witnessed in some form or another lately. A young man was walking on his way to Sawtooth Middle School and slipped on the ice and went down. He was, of course, just wearing shorts and a hoodie in 24 degree weather, too – totally unprepared to be lying in snow and ice! When he hit the ground, he did what many of us would do. He tried to play it off like it was no big deal. But, you could tell from the way he hit the ground - it had to hurt! He was going to be bruised, I imagine. Fortunately he had a couple buddies with him and one of them, after a few seconds, reached down and helped the kid up. He limped for a few steps; then, the three of them were walking along as if nothing had happened.

What a metaphor for the Christian walk! How often do we found ourselves walking our walk and are unexpectedly tripped up by Satan’s temptations? For the most part, we don’t plan to slip. It just happens. What do we do to prepare? Peter tells us in 1 Pet 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” We have to be ready! In other words, no spiritual “shorts and hoodies” when you’re in the winter of temptation! We have to arm ourselves with the “sword of the Spirit” and realize temptations may come.

The truth is many of us will, at some point, find ourselves fallen into sin. What we cannot do is act like it’s no big deal. It hurts. It hurts us emotionally. It hurts spiritually. It can hurt our families and those closest to us. So, when we fall, realize the gravity of the situation – and do what the young man did next…accept help. When we fall into sin, we’re going to have our spiritual bruises. It may affect our walk as a whole for a while. But, take those hands that are offered to you and get up. Get up and start walking with your Christian companions again.

God has blessed us with the church. We’re a family. We’re walking partners. We’re there to help each other up when we slip and fall. And maybe we’re there to remind each other to prepare for the tasks and temptations at hand. (Hey – it’s 24 degrees…put on some jeans!!) Take the hand God offers you so you can be the hand to reach out to help a fallen brother or sister back up – and get back in the walk.