Standing on the Edge

I was running home the other night when it occurred to me, that as I was waiting at the lights to cross a busy road at peak hour I was standing too close to the edge.

All it would take is one mis-step, or a loss of balance, a car, a bus or a truck and I would be cactus.

And God suggested to me that at times, your life is like that Ben and more to the point, you are not even aware of it.

So why would that be a something to discuss at Ironmen?  Who cares, really?

Good question!

You see if we are standing near the edge of something that could have dramatic affect, and we aren't spiritually street smart, then one of these days, we're going to have that appointment with the truck.

That is not to say, God is not the God of the redeemer and resurrection, by no means, but Ironmen is about sharpening ourselves, so that we are street smart, game ready.  Bring it on Satan!

"For the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."(1 Peter 5:8)

Better still,  if satan is prowling around, then I am stomping around aware of his deceptive tactics.

Let's bring this closer to home:

- Friend of my mine, tells us a husband (not hers) wants to leave his wife and kids and shack up with her, meanwhile his wife is overseas on a short trip...

- I did not attend my brother's 30th and instead went to a friend's farewell dinner, I made the wrong call and should have gone to my brother's event, he's offended and hurt. Days drag into weeks, drag into months, I don't apologise.

- An old girlfriend or women you had a crush on "pokes" you on Facebook, she's keen to catch up, "see how things are going...." You think, it would be great to re-connect, what could happen...

- You're working late and spending lot's of time at work, "it's just a busy period, it will die down next month", you come home to relax and turn on the TV at 11:30 at night...

- The weekend's are getting busier and busier, with Nippers, Ballet, Sports, and the social events,   You miss church, one weekend, then another and now it's every second or third week you're attending, if that....

- Work is pumping, sales are good, pipeline is strong, "Ka-ching!", Mr Money is coming down the road, and in your head you've already spent the bonus.

- She's in the same office block as you, you've briefly talked once or twice, she's cute, she seems really nice to talk to...

- What's wrong with a little porn, it's soft porn anyway.

- This company that I work for is a joke, the management are a joke, my boss is a "d*&$head", screw them all.

- When was the last time I spoke with God?  I mean, not in desperation?  Hmmm, I'd have to think about that one.


"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones"
(Proverbs 3:7-8)

"Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galations 6: 7-8)

This discussion is not designed to make us constantly look over our shoulder and be on the defensive about getting "too close the edge" and to not take risks in life, by no means.

To me there are two wider applications (and many many more):

1. Follow Philippians 4:8 example: If you're always thinking about God stuff, good spiritual food, then your limited in having time and place for options that may take you down.
(the flip-side to this is to think of the amount of time you and I spend "on ourselves", doing only what we want to do, basically filling it with perpetual self fulfillment and 'fun stuff' - follow that road and have a think about where it leads to - a really good litmus test, is to review how much time and money you and I give away to others - like serving, community work, volunteering, helping)

2. Smarten up to our weaknesses and proclivities. Don't excuse them or give them the time of day.  Walk away from that situation, or deal with it head on.

2.5 "Enjoy life with your wife whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun." (Ecclessiates 9: 8)

2.6 Pray, read the Bible, go to church.