Too Close For Comfort- THE SAFE ZONE- Tuesday
|
Too Close For Comfort
by
Rocky Fleming
Tuesday - The Safe Zone
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowl and from the deadly pestilence." (Psalms 91:1-3 NIV)
The above text is an illustration that would be best to understand through the shepherding culture in the day it was written. It is a word picture of the particular sheep in a flock that chose to graze and live close to their shepherd. In fact, they live so close to him that they actually rest in his shadow. Now it stands to reason that sheep are defenseless and need their shepherd's vigilance and protection. Therefore, by being in this close proximity with him it makes it easier for him to watch over them and protect them. They can hear his voice better. They can rest better. But this close proximity to their shepherd also helps the sheep to not be lured into danger. They stay in a safety zone next to their shepherd. They keep their eyes on him.This illustration makes a point of the person who lives close to Almighty God. Note the Psalmist uses the word "abide" to reinforce this permanent place of residency with Almighty God. This person is safe. He lives in a fortress ... a refuge. As a father and husband, this place close to Almighty God is the safe zone where a good captain takes his family to live, if he is a good captain.
On the other hand, the foolish and uncaring captain that takes his family to live near the Event Horizon is like sheep that stray from the shadow of their shepherd. Those sheep live on the edge of safety and danger. Because of this, they are easily enticed to the temptations that lure them further from their shepherd and into danger. Out there away from the shepherd is vulnerability. Out there are predators ready to pounce upon them. These sheep go deeper and deeper into the danger zone until they cross the line and become another victim. It is the same with a bored husband and father who wants a little excitement ... a little attention from someone else and begins to gaze at the forbidden fruit, like David did with Bathsheba. He takes a small step toward the Event Horizon, and then another, and then another. Each step becomes easier to make. Each step has less internal resistance. His conscience that once served as his navigation beam and danger signal begins to erode and become less active and the slow slide into compromise unfolds, and he drags his dearest of relationships into it with him. He doesn't see it coming until it is too late. He is in its grasp, and the destruction of those precious relationships and the moral authority he once had has been mortally wounded.
Men, what will it take to make you see what is waiting for you if you are lured to the Black Hole of moral, ethical, and spiritual compromise? Do you have to go there to realize how destructive it will be for you and your family? Is the price paid for this failure worth it? Why not look at what can be done to make home base exciting and enjoyable for you and your wife instead of being the fool that listens to the harlot? Consider what Solomon said:
For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness.
And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him,
"I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home."
With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. (Proverbs 7:6-23 ESV)
Men that is one example of the place of destruction that attempts to lure you and your family into its grasp. How close do you want to go to it? How close are you to your Event Horizon? How close are you to your safety zone? The answer to those questions defines your ability to lead your family. Lead them well Captain.
|
|
