Lines Blurred, Eyes Strained, Freedom Gained
I gripped the steering wheel like it was an anorexic life preserver. It was dark. The rain was pouring down as if the clouds were competing for the crown and title of Reigning Rain Cloud.” It was late. I was tired. I strained to see the road. A black snake of shining ashphalt lay in front of me. Sure- the road I could see. But, where were the lines that showed me my LANE?
I tried blinking hard to clear my eyes. Nothing. I tried to keep myself from blinking, thinking maybe I just needed to force my eyes to focus. Still nothing. Just ashphalt shimmering in the light of on coming headlights. The stretch of road I was on has only been paved for a few years. There are no street lights. I slowed down. I aimed my car right of center and prayed for the rain to stop. It didn’t. I slowed my car down to a crawl.
It was only a mile or so that I had to drive like that, but it felt like a hundred. Unless I’m changing lanes- or it’s raining and dark, I rarely think of the lines on the road while I’m driving. That night I longed for them.
The yellow and white lines in the road help keep us safe. They show us the route we’re on and enable us to move along it with freedom and speed. When the lines are blurred, or non-existant, we are tentative, we struggle, our pace slows to a crawl.
Driving outside those line can be dangerous. On the road- it can even lead to death.
That experience made me think of the lines that God has placed in my life. Lines of direction, lines that show me His path where I’m free to cruise along. The lines are the road markers for sin.
Sometimes those lines become blurred in my life. An audio book downloaded is a good story but has content that may be just over the center line…like rain and dark my own desire to hear a good story, blurs the line. Maybe, it’s a TV show that is way out of bounds- but well- it’s “POPULAR” and — I have to watch it in order to have something to talk about around the water cooler…..(or on the playground) don’t I? Maybe-I have an attitude in my heart that I just don’t WANT to let go of…. and besides- I’m RIGHT, aren’t I?
The lines blur. I swerve off the road and into on coming traffic. I sin.
This isn’t about legalism- I’m not talking the rules and regs that we manipulate or judge each other by. I’m talking about the simple fact that God has given us lines to live within. Lines that keep us safe from sin and from hurting each other. Lines that sometimes become blurred. Lines more likely- drawn in our hearts.
A few days after my driving experience- In the middle of a sunny afternoon- while I was in a rush- (of course) I found traffic along the same stretch of road had slowed to a crawl. The road was now dotted with orange cones. A big truck was slowly making it’s way down the center lane. From the back of the truck I saw a thick, fresh yellow line being painted on the ashphalt. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who noticed the lines had blurred.
Instead of getting frustrated about the wait. I was thankful they were re-painting. I waved to the workers as I passed. I mouthed “Thank you” out the window. (Which my teens have warned me about as it is close in lip reading to another phrase often mouthed while driving…) But I smiled- I was sure they got my message- even if they thought I was nuts. Who thanks road workers for slowing down traffic? I guess- me;)
I relaxed my grip on the steering wheel. The lines were clear. I could see. The next time it rained- I knew driving would be easier.
I’m not here to tell you where God has placed the lines for your life- but I’ll show you some of the re-painting he’s been doing in mine:
Ephesian 4:17-32 (NIV)
“So, I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Dear Lord- I pray that today you’d re-paint the lines of our hearts- speak to us about sins- big and small that we need to turn away from- let us find freedom in your grace to run the race you’ve placed before us-within the lanes you’ve marked out for us. I love you Lord- and ask you to show us your way, to empower us to follow and to carry us through- it is only in your power that we can do anything- amen.
Photo from here Iceland exhibit
Bless you sweet one.
Thanks for the line painted by the Lord in my life. Thanks for this wonderful message.
Tracy,
What a good story and analogy. So well done and the scripture is perfect. Thank you. Well Done!
Great analogy and I loved this story, sometimes I too often live my life to close to the center line. I need to be planted firmly in the center. Center of HIM.
Great analogy Tracey. Wondering now where I might have allowed my lines might be blurred. Blessings.
I agree Tracey – a great analogy. I know that I do so much better when I don’t wander around in the gray areas. God has set for me certain boundaries and when I step over the line my life is out of balance. Thanks for this fresh way of looking at it!