The Edge Of The Ledge

Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. 2Cor.13;5

Thirty three years ago as a new agent I was willing to go anywhere for an appointment. My hunger to succeed and my determination to excel carried me through. Words such as can't, won't and quit have long since been eliminated from my vocabulary.

While working with a young couple I was referred to their parents who lived 2.5 hours away. When I called to set the appointment I learned they lived deep in the north woods of northern Minnesota.

Since I was used to suburbia with our streetlight guideposts and well defined street names it struck me as unsettling when I was told to go 1.4 miles on the dirt road until I get to the edge of the ledge.

When I drove in the deep dark woods I felt that if I went to far I would fall into a pit. I crept along at snail pace and followed the specifics of my directions. Suddenly my fears turned into laughter as I looked up and saw that the edge of the ledge was nothing more than the local watering hole.

We had a great laugh that night as the city slicker was taught a thing or two about good old country home folks.

But I have to ask a simple question. Has God ever brought you to the edge of the ledge? Has He ever asked you to trust Him more and lean on yourself less. He might have you there right now. It is all for His reasons. Biblical testing is when He calls us into difficult demands, severe trials, or unbelievable trials. The purpose is to test our obedience, learn God's will, refute Satan or destroy our idolatry's.

I know I have been down to the change to feed my children but I still sing. Or it could be unemployed beyond anything that fit our timing yet He still has a plan. Maybe you have had to get a second job to make ends meet yet, we never know who He wants us to meet at that job.

Let us remember that God's intentions are always to ask more of us to prepare us for what He is calling us to. You can approach it with a joyous act of faith or you can react kicking and screaming all the way home. All I know is I have leaned to celebrate every obstacle and accept every challenge.

When I am in the testing
my heart will still rejoice.
With outstretched hands
and hearts ablaze
I'll raise my joyous voice.

A simple understanding
my life is in His hands.
With an absolute desire
to follow His commands.

Brad McGill
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