My sweet Daddy loved country music, and every Saturday night as I was growing up, we watched the Grand Ole Opry on television. I literally cut my teeth while listening to the music of the greats of country music ... Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Daddy's all-time favorite ... Johnny Cash. I can close my eyes even now and picture my dad singing along to the man in black's gravelly rendition of "Daddy Sang Bass," "Ring of Fire" or "Folsum Prison Blues." I also remember what Daddy would say every time he heard Johnny Cash sing his famous song "I Walk the Line" ... "Now there's a man who understands what it means to walk the line ... a man who appreciates a second chance in life."
Last weekend, I watched the movie "Walk the Line," which chronicled some of the toughest years of Johnny Cash's life. Each time I watch the movie, two things always strike me ... just how out of control Mr. Cash's personal life became, and how much he had to guard himself against falling into those former destructive patterns once he was rescued and changed. He wasn't a perfect man for the remainder of his life, but by all accounts, he was a grateful man for the rest of his life.
I've been thinking a lot lately about walking the line ... of what it truly means to live a life that is worthy of the calling that God has placed upon me, upon each of us who claim the name of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. How is that line defined? Is the line the same for all believers? Who decides where that line resides? What does God desire from me in walking the line? Should others be allowed to determine my line or judge me if my line is different from theirs? When do I step up and speak out about my attempt to walk my own line, and when do I keep silent? So many ... so very many ... questions are swirling around in my mind about the line ... finding the line, discerning the line, walking the line.
The more I've pondered the whole dilemma of walking the line ... of not crossing the line in my thoughts, words or deeds ... the more it makes me search my heart and soul in the hope of finding what is pleasing to God, finding how He desires me to live, finding the true meaning of being in the world but not of the world. Again ... so very many questions concerning this line walking part of who God calls me to be. Maybe that's just another piece of the puzzle that dictates where I currently am on my journey ... maybe that's part of why my tent is pitched in this desert ... maybe it's God's way of showing me who He desires me to be, teaching me where to plant my feet, drawing His line in the sand of my life.
Teach me to walk the line, Lord, for all the right reasons ... because I'm yours, and because You're mine ... teach me to walk the line.
1 comment:
seriously tho't this was one of the BEST PIECES OF BLOG-WRITING I'VE EVER, EVER READ!!! :)
insightful, wise, heartfelt. you stuck the landing on this one sister! :)
i couldn't help but think as i read thru this, that oftentimes when we are called to concentrate on finding, discerning and walking our own line...we suddenly become much more disinterested in pointing this out to others. meaning, when you are focused on that direct connection between yourself and christ, you are much less likely to glance my direction and point out to me that i am not walking my line. savvy?
and why is that? because those lines are personal. personal lines of communication between us and the one who made us. :) paying too close of attention to someone else's line probably means said person is not paying nearly close enough attention to his or her own interpersonal line.
THIS ONE MIGHT JUST BE MY NEW FAVE POST EVER.
outstanding, aunt jo. you outdid yourself on this one. :)
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