That Pesky Line In the Sand

That pesky line in the sand.  Do you hear that phrase a lot? Does it inspire you to stand for what you believe in, or cause you discomfort? Cause I have felt both emotions.

 

Do you know where the term originates? THere is much debate and no real conclusion.

 

Jesus stooped and wrote in the sand (no one knows what He wrote) when the Pharisees wanted to stone an adulterous woman.

 

There is also  an incident during the invasion of Egypt in 168 BC by Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Syria. The Egyptian envoy demanded he decided if he was going to invade or not and forced him to decided before he crossed the predrawn line in the sand.

 

Doesn’t really matter.  The term usually refers to a decision that is made. Stating a “non-negotiable” decision has been made.  

 

For me, it always makes me think of trying to STRADDLE the line to have the best of both of two very different worlds…which never really works out…

Have you ever tried to live in two different places at once?

• Living  in the world but also living out your faith?
• Running a business, but not FULLY committing to it?
• Loving your husband while  holding on to a relationship from the past?
• Getting healthy, but keeping that stash of Oreos for the “hard” days?
• Building a new reputation as a Christ follower, but still hanging out with the same crowd on Friday nights doing things you did before you gave your life over to Christ?

(Those are all MY own personal examples, so no judgement here, sister!)

Line in the sand.

Sounds harsh but really it’s a beautiful line to draw. There is Freedom there. There is peace.  

Don’t misunderstand me…It won’t be easy. In fact, drawing your line and living your faith will be HARD!  The world comes against us more and more as we take a stand for Christ. But isn’t it beautiful that God provided us with BRAVE and BOLD examples to follow even all those centuries ago in His word?

 

Daniel

Daniel refused to cross the line when told he could not longer pray by government decree.  “When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, JUST AS HE HAD DONE BEFORE {emphasis added}. “ Daniel 6: 10

He drew his line in the sand.

David

“Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.⁶ He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.”With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.” 1 Samuel 24: 5-7

It took him a hot minute and some conviction, but he drew his line in the sand.  David could have EASILY justified killing Saul, but he listened to God’s conviction and NOT what the world was telling him.

If you’re feeling immediate conviction in a certain area of your life, I’m with ya dear friend! I am writing this because God is convicting me in certain areas too.

Now for the Freedom…

Jesus said, “Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. THe one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” John 15: 4-5

I don’t know about you, but I love that I don’t have to draw my line by myself.  That by choosing to live for Jesus, I am choosing to remain connected to the ONE who has the power to sustain me.  Any fruit I produce in this life – in my church, my family, my business – is because of HIM!

What line have you been trying to straddle sister?

It’s time.  Draw your line and take your stand.  And let’s cheer each other on as we do!

 

xoxo,

Rach