The edge is calling

 I know I was ready to fall, but, Lord, your faithful love supported me. I was very worried and upset, but you comforted me and made me happy! (Psalm 94:18-19)

I don't know about you, but there have been plenty of warnings for me when I am about to 'fall' into temptation of some kind. It could just be the knowledge that what I am about to do is a bit 'out on the edge' of what God really wants for his kids. It could be that I hear a clear warning in my subconscious mind, the voice of the Holy Spirit, warning me to just stop. Either way, I had the chance, but did I always listen? Nope! Does that still happen? From time to time, but less and less frequently. Why? I have learned to lean into God's 'faithful support' when I am just about to take that final step into compromise. There is much to be said about 'knowing you are ready to fall' and and having his unfailing love and support to keep you from doing so.

Knowing when we are about to compromise is important, but it isn't always a lesson we learn the first time. It is in the repeation that we learn some things well, just as it is in the repetition that we learn to give into sin when we shouldn't. If we learn to trust that still small voice, that little niggling within our subconscious, we might find ourselves making the decision to avoid the compromise all together. Will it always be 'stopping' at the same spot of being 'right there on the edge'? No, in time we come to 'stop' a bit sooner, then a little bit sooner. Why? We have learned to trust God to keep us from stumbling - we are listening closely to his voice, and we desire to see our choices changed. God can work with that!

Being on the 'brink of falling' is kind of scary, isn't it? God gives us the warning that we are approaching too closely to the 'edge' because he knows the closer we get to the edge, the more unstable the footing becomes underneath us. He calls us back because he doesn't want us to fall. We need to learn to trust that voice of warning - even when the struggle with sin's pull to compromise seems a bit stronger than we'd been prepared for. God knows the desires of our heart. He sees the path we are following. Never be concerned that he won't give the warning to stop. Be more concerned that you won't listen, lean in, and learn to turn away before you actually reach the edge! Just saying!