As I was driving yesterday, I came to an intersection with a sign that read, “stay behind the line.” The more common version of that phrase is something we have heard all our lives, “don’t cross the line.” Typically, when someone “crosses the line” it means they have gone from one situation or activity to a more extreme one or their behavior has gone from acceptable to unacceptable or offensive.
Unfortunately, we hear news almost daily of public figures “crossing the line” and acting inappropriately. But I want to mention a different line that we are prone to cross. It is the line that marks the end of our feeble efforts and the full engagement of God’s miraculous efforts. Too many times in my life I have struggled to recognize this line and, with the best of intentions, I inadvertently “cross the line” and try to do God’s work for Him.
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:7a
To stop at that line is not a sign of weakness nor does it signal that you are giving up. It actually is a sign of wisdom and maturity. It requires us to truly live out what we say we believe and trust God when it looks like there is no progress or when it seems as if God is not listening. A lack of activity does not necessarily mean nothing is happening.
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5a
As you travel along on your personal trajectory this week, remember that God is in control and God will intervene.
Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along his path….
Psalm 37:34a