Between the Lines
“Keep it between the lines” is a way to say drive safe and have a good trip. I admit that when I started driving, it was difficult at times to keep it between the lines. The faster I drove the harder it was to keep the car on a straight path. The lines on the road guide us toward our destination. If followed, the lines keep us safely on the road away from the dangers of oncoming traffic and the hazards on the side of the road. Even if we are able to safely “keep it between the lines,” there are obstacles we encounter that have to be navigated. These obstacles may stop or divert our progress toward our destination. Whether we encounter foggy conditions, a fallen tree across the road, a rockslide, inadequate road signs, road work, or icy conditions, we must navigate each one differently and all must be overcome to reach our destination safely.
As Christians, God has given us two commands that guide us on the path He has set before us:
The Great Commandment
“‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.’” (Matthew 22:36-38)
The Great Commission
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
If we are going to fulfill the call God has placed on our life and follow the path He has set before us, we must love God and make disciples.
The Great Commandment tells us that we must love God. We show love for God when we grow in our relationship with Him by doing the following:
Reading, memorizing, and meditating on God’s word: the Bible
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (John 16:24)
Praying daily to God
“pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18)
Living a life of obedience to His commands
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (John 15:8-10)
“So then those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do what is right.” (1 Peter 4:19)
The Great Commission tells us to make disciples. To make disciples, we must invest in others and model what it looks like to follow Jesus by doing the following:
Going
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’” (John 20:21)
Witnessing
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Teaching
“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
Even through the process of loving God and making disciples, there are obstacles that can distance us from God and cause us to divert from the path He has called us to follow. A mental fog caused by stress, an impassable barrier of money and debt, a rocky relationship in your marriage, an unclear direction raising kids, an unhealthy work-life balance, and a slippery slope maintaining moral purity are all obstacles we may encounter. All of these things can divert our attention from God, distance our relationship with God, and impede our effectiveness in serving God. We are not able to navigate these obstacles alone, but God has promised to help us if we ask Him. If we trust in God, we will grow in our faith through the obstacles.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:2-6)
As you live your life in Christ, “Keep it between the lines,” love God, make disciples, and grow in faith through the obstacles you encounter along the way.
