At the Edge
There are times where following after Jesus leads us into wide-open situations with a multitude of possibility and other times where we feel less like willful disciples and more like we’re under siege and about to be pushed off the edge of a cliff. Since it is Christ we follow, we can be encouraged to know how it turned out for Him – both times.
Matthew 4:5-7 | Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Luke 4:28-30 | When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away.
In both instances, what kept Jesus from plummetting off edge was the will of the Father. In the first example, falling from the edge offered an escape to Jesus and one He had every right to take. His purpose, however, came from the Father and this meant He had to take the long way down. In the second scene, it was not yet time for Jesus to die and He knew this because He knew the Father. And so He simply passed through their midst.
When we stand at an edge, we may always assume it’s time to jump.
In truth, it may only be the right time to turn around and head back.
Today, I am standing at the edge of something once again and in many ways feel like jumping/being thrown off would be the right thing to do/allow. I say to myself, “God will catch me if I fall, won’t He?” The answer, of course, is yes (or, at least, He’ll pry my splattered remains off the ground). But if He then only puts me right back on the edge, I’ve wasted His time (and mine). For sure, I’ve made plenty of plunges recently in my following after Jesus (moving, resigning, praying stupid prayers). But each jump was according to the will of God.
Having gone to bed last night with it in my mind to make another jump from another cliff, I woke up and heard God’s voice say, “Not so fast” in a way only He can say it. And so, here I still stand – waiting – but, right where the Father wants me. I am always amazed at how fully invested the Lord is with His kids.
Proverbs 20:5 | The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
- Have you ever found yourself at the edge in life?
- Do you typically jump/fall or find another way down?
(How’s that gone for you?) - How do you discern the will of the Father in these moments?
Wow… such a good thought. Jumping isn’t all that “spiritual” if it’s not God’s plan! Thanks for sharing that.
Netta
November 20, 2008 at 10:48 am
This week my wife and I just made a frightening choice. You might say we jumped. I’ll have to let you know how it works out.
When confronted with these choices, I always take comfort in 2 Corinthians 2:12-17. While I earnestly want to make the ‘right’ choice or the ‘best’ choice, God promises to lead me in HIS triumph regardless of my choices.
Choices can be made without regret; that is one of the great blessings of the freedom we have in Christ.
John Ramsey
November 20, 2008 at 11:33 am
living on the edge often requires the discipline NOT to jump
chilly
November 20, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Wow. See? This is why I married you. (Well, one of the reasons.
) You hear the voice of God & listen to him. What great insight. We’ve been on the edge a lot lately & although it’s always fun to jump I think there are times to wait. That’s so cool. Love you!
Ruth Chowdhury
November 21, 2008 at 12:03 am
Chris, I sometimes wonder if ALL of life for a Christian is not ’standing at the edge of a cliff’. If we could comfortably live our lives, how would we ever know if Christ was there? We would be living a false life thinking we were in charge of even the smallest things. So when we do make decisions that are led by God’s will in our lives, which SHOULD be every day, we have just jumped off a cliff. So stand on the edge every day with full knowledge that God is there not only to catch you but to lift you on the wings of his strength and your faith. ~Aunt Linda
Linda
November 21, 2008 at 9:59 am
yeah that is fantastic. great thoughts.
@iChilly. So True…what a discipline.
jump
realjump
November 23, 2008 at 9:49 pm
yeah man, i hope there’s no splattered remains.
Most big changes in my life have happened in steps…little tinyhops rather bigjumps. The tinyhops have required faith, but each one served as confirmation along the way. Perhaps I’m lucky, but God has never asked me to jump blindly off a cliff – I’m not sure he works that way, although I can think of counterexamples in scripture.
I agree with Chilly…sometimes it takes real dicipline to be patient, wait for confirmation, and spend time in thoughtful consideration. It also takes wisdom to recognize the difference between waiting for confirmation and stalling.
It’s funny how we can be busy waiting for confirmation and get annoyed with everyone offering their advice, especially when it’s counter to the way we’re leaning. As if God needed to give any more confirmation than that…
great post!
mohan37
November 26, 2008 at 10:34 am
So good Chris. Those who are proven in real faith don’t act on impulse or pressure but on God. Let God push me, not man or me. But waiting – standing – trusting – can be so much harder than jumping.
“…testing of your faith develops perseverance.Perseverance MUST finish its work so that you may BE mature AND complete, not lacking ANYTHING.”
Francy Zagar
November 26, 2008 at 12:14 pm