Into the Fire

I was never much good on the balance beam. Now the “horse”, that was a different story. Figures, huh? Fast and furious, leaping and bounding instead of precision steps, calculated and manipulated twists, turns, jumps, and flips.

Christianity is not a place of being “in the middle”, but it is supposed to be a place of continual balance. When Jesus made it plain that you can only be for Him or against Him, He left no doubt as to what He expected from His followers. Shoddy, happenstance, off and on relationship proves only that we are, in fact, in the middle of commitment, and not solidly devoted to serving the Lord.

Commitment is one of those words inspiring fear or zealousness. Some people are commitment-phobic, knowing they possess the tendency to wander away from anything requiring them to be dependable and accountable. Sometimes this is because they’re not convinced the thing or person is what or who they’re willing to suspend all other opportunities for. Many of them are willing to commit at some point as long as they’re certain it’s for the right reason, right thing, or right person. And there’s nothing wrong with being sure. It’s better than faking or making what comes across as an irrevocable decision only to have it change down the road.

The precision required to execute routines on a balance beam has to be accompanied by a good sense of balance. Not everyone has it. Some people lose their balance being even a short distance off the ground. Some people experience vertigo on a bridge or at a high observation point. The precision required to find balance in Christianity, while not often easier, does not require any specific physical skills but rather the commitment to follow through on the routine. And, as evidenced with a poor performance in a skill sport, not finding a good routine will keep you from being your best.

God does not draw people to Himself through His Son and then abandon them without a plan. People abandon people, but God does not. I know sometimes it feels as though He has, but He says He has not. Plans require work to put them into practice, for them to become a working reality. Christianity is not fun and games and the constant upbeat smile on a face. I’ve known people who’ve been gifted with a spirit of joy—real joy, not the kind with slapped on smiles and “God is good!” choruses. Most of us have times of intense struggle, issues of character and conduct to overcome, strains in relationships with loved ones or friends, and pain and sickness to face. Life can be hard. And it demands decisions.

If you’ve ever had to come to a serious conclusion about a course of action, you know the worst place to be is somewhere in the middle. Which way to go? If I do this, or if I do that . . . Unbalanced. Uncommitted to a plan.

There are few things in our lives which are more important than commitment. Without committing to the Lord Jesus Christ the rest of our commitments will end up being meaningless. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? But the only commitment which can directly affect every other commitment in our lives is the one we make to Him—the one which enhances all others, the one which secures our hope filled eternity. So being somewhere in the middle of our decision-making process concerning the Son of God will most certainly produce an unbalanced individual who ultimately cannot save himself from a deadly destination—far more serious than an unanticipated tumble from the balance beam after a practiced routine.

God, in light of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you will not tolerate a marginal commitment. It’s all or nothing with you. Too much has been given not to be cherished. Too much offered to us as undeserving, selfish, and sinful takers—yet you gave us a way out from a course designated directly for hell. Let us solidify our devotion to you and persevere to follow after you. Let us strive for your balance in our lives and overcome our lazy ways. Let us never fail to ask for your help when we feel ourselves faltering in that detestable middle ground. In the Name of Jesus, who gave it all for us, Amen.