“But for all of us, [faith assignments involve] getting a grip on the daily practice of moving across the line from one mountain to the next and strengthening our faith. This is what it means to daily make a decision to walk with God.” – Nicki Koziarz
“Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”- Exodus 3:5 (ESV)
Nicki Koziarz concludes Chapter 3 of Flooded as she explores the origin of the term walk the line. One can trace the term back all the way to the 1700s. At that time inmates were forced to walk around a thick-lined circle during their ‘rec time.’ Officials punished a prisoner for walking off the line.
Today, Nicki contends, our culture’s not clear about what it means to walk with God. Thus, a thin line exists between the ways of the world and the ways of our God. However, if we cross the line in our walk with God, unlike the prisoners, there’s always a way back. And Noah teaches us to decide to walk with God. Above all, Nicki exhorts, there’s one way to get closer to God. Walk barefoot.
Perhaps, Nicki believes, we experience unbelief in our lives because we fail to take a posture of humility. Yet, in Exodus God instructed Moses to take off his shoes because he stood on holy ground. Thus, it’s good to stand barefoot before the Lord.
As a result, we need to ‘take off our shoes’ to humbly clear the way for whatever stands between us and the holiness of our God. And yes, it’s going to feel uncomfortable. As this point you must decide if you’ll keep walking with God.
Finally, Faith Dickey practices a much more difficult version of slacklining called high-lining. It involves walking on a flat, braided line across an extreme height, like the Alps. Even in extremely cold temperatures, Faith walks in her bare feet. Because bare feet provide the greatest grip on the line.
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you in getting a grip as you walk the line with God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Listening to something – the house you live in”
