Standing on the edge

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.~Psalm 94:18-19

There were so many times when I have felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff.  I would be flailing my arms around trying to keep balance. Doing everything that I could not to slip.  I thought by my sheer determination that I could stand and I did for a while.  But the ground, the gravel beneath my feet kept moving and my feet begin to slip.  I have no doubt the my destruction was imminent, but God’s love, His unfailing love lifted me.

It might sound like a “hyperbole” to some, but I imagine that many can relate to seasons of crisis.  Where you are doing the best you can.  You get one thing under control only to have something else pop up. Maybe you just found the money to fix the AC only to have the fridge go out.  Or it could be that you begin to see light at the end of the tunnel in a relationship only to have another issue arise.  You finally get the job you have been wanting only to find out it will require you to move away from everything and everyone  that you know.  You get one child off to school only to have a struggle with another.  Trial after trial and test after test.  You are doing your best to stand strong and stand firm in your faith, but you begin to look around.  You see people with no regard for God or the things of God appear to being just fine.  You see oppression and corruption rampant and you begin to wonder why you are fighting so hard.  Your attention is diverted. You are weary and worn and your foot slips. 

The rock feels more like gravel and your anxiety just steadily multiples.  Praying gets harder because your words begin to fail you.  I have been there.  It’s a scary and desperate place to be.  But just like God’s love saved me it can save you.  His consolation, His comfort replaces worry and fear with peace and joy.  He steadies your feet and gives you the balance you need as you realize that the rock is not your will and determination.  The rock is not perfect circumstances and a life without trials.  No, the Rock is Jesus Christ, the object of our faith.  It is in Him we trust not my own strength or intellect.   We don’t have to flail our arms, but remain in Him.  

I realized that I was in the wrong position.  There was something out of whack with my posture. I was on my tiptoes, looking down, trying to see what was coming next instead of leaning back on Jesus.  I wasn’t standing in my “Wonder Woman” pose, looking up to the God of my help.  My lungs were not open to inhale the truth of His word and breathe out His praise.  When my posture is right, I have no time to look around worrying why others are doing this and getting that. God will hold us all to account.   I stay off of the crumbling gravel and stand firm on the Rock because of His love.  The edge no longer looks like an edge, but rather another mountain top He has brought me too and I can open my arms wide with joy.

Lord, I thank You for your unfailing love, your comfort and joy,  Thank You for every trial and tribulation that brings me closer to You.  Thank You for keeping me from destruction abs giving me a new perspective and a new song to sing.  I thank You for life abundantly.  Keep my eyes on You and help me to stand on the truth of your Word.  Bless those who feel like they are on the edge of a cliff. Keep their foot from slipping and may they experience the joy of You.  In Jesus name I  do pray. Amen