DRAWING THE LINE

Today I can't help but wonder about how many times lines are drawn, how much we live by them. The above picture is from a Marching Band Field Show where the drum major is guiding the band beat. But the band member is not only supposed to be in the beat but they are supposed to be near or on certain lines, imagined or unimagined on the field. Below is my son at one of his starting points.

So where is this all leading. It's leading to lines I've drawn in life, lines because of hurts, disappointment, and unanswered prayer. Lines that I've drawn out of protection, withdrawel and silence. Lines I no longer want to cross because of the disapointment hurt and sorrow. And in all this somewhere is a God in whom scripture says has unfailing love and compassion.

Have I ever drawn a line with God? Have you? You can go here Lord, but don't cross the line? I can't let you cross this line Lord because before you allowed this to happen so I don't want to allow you into this space again because I'm disappointed.

In this bible study Sacred Echoes I'm doing Margaret Feinberg talks about how she hears God quietly saying "Bring them to Me" and "You are not Alone". And as I studied this portion I have some lines I've drawn. And in the past I realized that when I drew them I became isolated and silent. But He has always drawn me in. I learned that in the tough times, when things don't go well and it seems like God isn't there or uninvolved to tell it to Him. He may not answer the way you like and you know what, it may even get worse forever but He wants us to talk about it with Him. Why because it takes the focus off me. And I know that when I draw those uncrossable lines that It always becomes about me.

Today I have erased some those lines I have discovered. In a very personal matter in my life, and to be honest with out going into sharing any details because He's not finished yet. Well yesterday, by accident I read in one of my writings a prayer that I prayed years ago that God really didn't answer. So I stopped praying that prayer to Him. I sat yesterday on the floor weeping and crying and talking to God about it, I erased that line. And He also said it to me very loudly,

"BRING THEM TO ME"