An old song by Wayne Watson has been running through my head recently, so I dragged the CD out and uploaded to my iTunes library. It sure sounded vintage, but gosh the lyrics struck me because I have had some many recent conversations along the lines of what he says in this song. From being content with what I have, to compromising the truth – these are all things that we constantly walk out, and it is often a fine line. Sometimes it is blatantly obvious, and other times… not so much.
I think that the closer we walk with Jesus, the more like Him we will become. Our words, our thoughts, and our actions will become more like His, and the pull of the world will become so much less. Our speech will change. If we used profanity before, we won’t, because the speech of the Lord is encouragement, and life giving. If we were violent before, we will become a peacemaker. If we were full of lust, our heart will be purified by the true love that only Jesus can show us. All those things that pull at us – movies, media, cars, boats, music, work, clothing, relationships – whatever, will fall into proper perspective when we are walking with the Lord. But the daily living it out is the challenge. It is the diligence of seeking Him with all we are, and the discipline of dying to our flesh and living in the spirit. Diligence and discipline… key points. Dave Ramsey said the other day that “diligence is discipline with excellence.” I love that. I want to diligently seek the Lord.
The Fine Line
There’s a fine line
Between contentment and greed
Between the things that I want
And the things that I need
Between “enough is enough”
And where desires feed
It’s a fine line
How do I live with so much
Here with the spoil of the blessed
And not abandon this boat
For the sea of excess
To aspire to great things
Yet be filled with humbleness
It’s a fine line — Oh yes, it’s a fine line
Chorus
So where do I walk, Where is my place
The straight and the narrow
The road of grace
Holdin’ fast to You, Walkin’ at Your pace
Walkin’ on the fine line
There’s a fine line
Between taking bread with a lost man
And being consumed by his way
While reaching out in love
Temptation’s right at your door
Guard what you’re thinkin’ of
It’s a fine line
When I hide my eyes
From the darkest of our life’s insanity
From the worst of the world’s profanity
I’ve gotta be careful
I don’t miss anyone in need of me
It’s a fine line–Oh yes, it’s a fine line
And can I embrace the world’s sorrow
And not be carried away by life’s rain
Know the power of the resurrection
And still know the fellowship of His pain
Not talkin’ ’bout walkin’ fences
Not talkin’ ’bout compromise
But living and breathing as pleasing in His eyes
Chorus
So where do I walk, Where is my place
The straight and the narrow
The road of grace
Holdin’ fast to You, Walkin’ at Your pace
Walkin’ on the fine line
© 1988 Wayne Watson – The Fine Line
As we walk closer with the Lord and allow Him to change us more and more, I wonder if the the “fine line” becomes easier to walk on. Not that the narrow way becomes broader, but that the narrow way becomes the only way that we desire to walk. I feel like it might be close to the often thought, “we don’t want to be so Heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good”. I believe that thought is false.
Take for example the verse, “When I hide my eyes from the darkest of life’s insanity, from the worst of world’s profanity, I’ve got to be careful I don’t miss anyone in need of me… It’s a fine line, Oh yes, a fine line.” Now, I think I hear what he’s trying to say, but I actually believe that the more we hide our eyes from darkness, i.e. the more we fill our eyes with light, the more we will see our brother’s need. We don’t need to be afraid that we will miss a chance to minister to the world because we remove ourselves from worldliness. I believe, on the contrary, we will be the most effective when we do that.
Just some thoughts… 🙂
Yes, I think he is struggling with the concept of hiding from darkness of the world, but somehow still being able to reach out – that’s the fine line. I agree that when we are in the light, as he is in the light, we can be far more effective. I don’t need to be like the world to reach them. Jesus was pure, and because he walked in purity and holiness, even as a human, he was able to reach people where and as they were. The same is true of paul and Peter – they did not compromise the truth and message of the gospel to reach people. They spoke it with boldness and many came to Jesus.
Did we have the discussion on the heavenly minded quote? I had it with someone… maybe it was Chad and you guys? I forget. I agree with you tho.
amen and AMEN