In his booklet Cross The Line, Sam Parker writes: ‘With everything, there’s a line. On one side of the line is a greater chance to make good things happen (better results, better relationships, more opportunities). This is where you will find all those people you admire. On the other side of the line, there is less of a chance. And with each line, you have a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want that better chance at making good things happen (meaningful things) or you set off with the lesser chance. Your choice. Then there will be those times when in the short run it will seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do). But then, those misses (those hurdles) in the short run will sometimes help you over the line in the long run (in a way you couldn’t have seen). They will serve as lessons, giving you more depth to your experience – making you stronger and better prepared for the bigger and more important challenges you’ll face in the future. But you won’t know that at the time. At the time, you will just see that line. And it might seem like a wall. But it really is just a line (a line you want to cross). And it’s yours to cross, but you have to decide (make that choice).’ Paul chose to cross that line: ‘I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ Note the word ‘upward’. It’s a climb. It calls for total commitment. But in the end, it’s worth it!

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.