On The Fence

On our way to Florida there was a stretch of the road for 20-30 miles where there was a billboard every 15 feet on both sides of the highway. On the North bound side every billboard was for the Adult Mega Central Superstore. Once we got to the exit it was on, it was literally the size of a football stadium. On the South bound side every sign was for a website called I will return. Some of the signs were a little over the top but the point was obvious. In the middle it started off with a grass median where you could get from one side to the next easily. As we went further it went to a metal railing, then a concrete wall that slowly grew in height. At one point the wall was so high you couldn't see from one side to the next.

 What made this scenery even more profound was that the clouds over the north side were pitch black while on the south side there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was like there was an invisible barrier that went from the ground completely into the sky. Once we were passed that store, the median went back to grass and the sky lightened again. Thirty or so miles down the road, the signs started again. North side were signs for a huge discount alcohol store while the website signs showed back up on the south side. As well, the barrier returned.

I thought it was a very profound sign that the two things that destroy people's lives, families, and marriages would be shown in such a contrast. You see, as we start out in life, we can cross the path very easily. But we also can fall back just as easy. As time passes, the fence begins to grow larger. We see the time passing but we can still see the other side, so we think there's still time to move. We even straddle the fence back and forth. But there comes a time when we've been in the dark so long that the wall has grown too tall and too strong to overcome, and it's too late.
People don't straddle the fence. Jesus said in Revelations 3:15-16; "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." 

1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world. The things of this world and all its desires will entice you daily. They will distract you from the wall until it has grown to tall to conquer. But just know, as it is said in Joshua 1:9- Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Through it all He is with you. Though you may journey far into the dark, unable to even see a glimmer of that wall, His light can pierce through. But know this today; if you find yourself at the bottom of that wall looking up, and feel that there is no way you can climb up, cry out to Him. He's there waiting to stretch down His hand and pull you out of the darkness before the roaring waters overtake you.