A Line in the Sand
[image error]First times are….many people probably have the same answer. Scary. It’s not like the feeling of being deathly afraid, but more of the uncertainty of the unknown. First dates cause butterflies of nervousness thinking that this could be the one. First days at a new school causes knots of easiness wondering if you’ll meet a bully or your new lifelong best friend. There are plenty firsts: births, plane rides, interviews, jobs, jumping off the high dive, singing in front of a crowd and the list could go on. These firsts could bring a chill of dread or a smile of accomplishment depending on the side of the line you are on. The about too’s or the have done’s. Ask any first time pregnant woman if they are nervous about their delivery date and they will probably shake their head nervously. Yet, ask them moments after the delivery and the fear passes as they snuggle their newborn. It’s funny how quickly fear fades like a morning fog once you’ve defeated it, yet it seems like a strong killer storm while you are in it.
Yesterday was my official first book reading. Doubt was whispering my name all day with what if’s and cannot’s. Yet now a day later, I wonder why I let that fear even have a second of my thought process. One second is one second too long when doubts are concerned. Because that one second can slowly stroll through every nook and cranny in your head, heart and soul and start to breed into a minute, an hour, a day or a lifetime. It’s sad how much power we give to our doubts, when God defeated death. If He can raise the dead, He is surely able to handle and defeat our doubts. But why do we not think that? Why is there a line in the sand where we tell God you can only come this far?
It’s funny really, we draw a line in the soft, pliable sand and tell God we got this, as He traced His finger in the Earth and carved out canyons, formed the oceans trenches, and created the cavernous playgrounds under earth. Who are we to tell God, I got this? Yet, we do it time and again without saying a word and giving Him a second thought. I heard someone say today, “Fear is a liar.” Yes, fear clings to our doubts and echoes the lies until we believe them to be gospel. Yet when we are believing the lies we cannot hear the real Good News or the true Gospel that tells us to “be strong and courageous” or “do not be afraid” or “anything is possible.” When we believe fear’s lies we cannot see any ray of hope in the shadowed valleys. Yet God is always there radiating His goodness and love, shining brighter than a billion stars.
May we open our eyes to see His Light. May we open our ears to hear His truth. May we open our hearts to believe His words because unlike fear, God is never a liar. Let’s erase the lines in the sand and allow God to do His mysterious ways through us. You may realize His ways are better than your wildest dreams.
Peace
