An Invitation to the Edge

There a song by Casting Crowns that hits a certain vibration in my spirit every time I hear it:  

All my life I’ve longed to be a hero.  With my sword raised high running into battle.  I was gonna take giants down - be a man you would write about.  Deep in my chest in the heart of a warrior.

…so why am I still standing here?

The four walls of the church represent a safe haven for many of us. A lot of people find comfort in the rules and rituals that adhere to our desire for a black and white understanding. They act as bumpers in a bowling alley, allowing us space to grow and providing the sense of security that we’re staying the course. However, for some of us, there's a tug on our heart, and a desire in our soul to venture further ...even if we throw a few gutterballs.  We are called, not to abandon corporate expressions of faith, but to press beyond its boundaries, seeking something raw, unfiltered, and alive.

It’s a tug that I believe king David felt in his spirit too.

David’s relationship with God was bathed in boldness. He danced unashamedly, worshiped with abandon, and stumbled big time. Yet through it all, he was known as “a man after God’s own heart.”  How could that be? Because his pursuit of God was deeply personal, marked by both the simplicity of surrender and the humility of repentance. He didn’t live a perfect life - I’m not even sure it was his top goal, but he lived an authentic one, chasing the presence of God “like a deer pants for water” you might say.

Matthew 12:3-8

Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here."

Verses like these call to my spirit and this is my understanding of why.  They feel like an invitation to match the order of my values to God’s.  God’s Word is WAAAAY up there on the value list - but NOT above His heart.  Jesus said the FIRST is to love God with everything you’ve got. I'm paraphrasing there, but here's the point - The enemy doesn’t care WHAT you put above loving God …even if it’s the rules.  He just knows that that whole system gets out of whack as long as there is something besides God’s Heart in that top slot.

Sooo - Would you be willing to risk His rules to go after His heart?  Would you venture out of the religious walls of safety if it meant messy authenticity with Jesus?

I don’t expect that everyone will say yes - This life on the edge isn’t for everyone.  It’s risky. You wil get it wrong. You will cross lines and need to retrace your steps. But for those willing to step out, the reward is unparalleled: an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ himself, where His voice becomes as familiar as a friend’s and His presence as accessible as air.

For some of you - this isn't even a question.  Getting it wrong doesn't scare you, because you already know you will anyway.  The mess doesn't scare you, you know that the mess is the cost of the adventure.  Your fear sounds more like this:

"I don't want to look back someday on a life that never stepped across the line" - Casting Crowns ...yes that same song.  Like I said, it really stirs my spirit!!

If you feel the tug, consider this your invitation. Come to the edge—not just to abandon the safety of religion, but to discover the wild beauty of a life fully alive in Jesus.

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant doesn’t know what the Master is doing, but I call you friends.  For everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you.” - Jesus

Want to transition from servant to friend?  Do you feel bold enough to try and make that switch?

If that’s a yes - I want you to know you’re not alone.  Let us know how we can come alongside you as you go.