On The Edge

On the edge of my seat, my stomach is in knots, with the tension and exhilaration of each blurred flash of speed and skill rounding each icy corner. My full attention is on the five short-track speed skaters battling for position with each lap during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The Koreans at 125-150 lbs each are the monsters of power and speed on the ice, clinching the first Gold in the 1500m. Our most decorated Winter Olympian Apolo Ohno, however, is the wild-card whose seemingly effortless speed, grace and cunning puts him in contention every time he takes the ice.

If I could only attend one Winter Olympic event, I would choose short-track speed skating hands down. I am captivated by the thrill of racers battling for position, passing each other like commuters on I-205. As they glide through each corner, fingertips skimming the ice, they are on the edge of their razor-sharp blades and of control. One slight bump or misplaced foot and they careen off into the padded barriers like 8-year-olds flying off a merry-go-round from a steroid pumped Dad. It is the Daytona 500 on ice…with blades not Goodyears…and no Chevy’s…or pit crews, RV’s, shirt-less guys named Jr. or Bubba…okay, but you get the point.

Do you ever find yourself where you feel you are living on “the edge”. You might feel like you are the edge of losing control in finances, family, integrity, busyness, activities, work, health, school, etc. If so, you are not alone. I know there have been times when I feel the speed and momentum of life takes me into a slippery corner, and all of the centrifugal forces push against my leaning body, fingertips on the ice, as I hold onto the razor’s edge of my blade. It is at those breathless moments we need the assurance and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we hold the hand of a loved one in ICU, balance our checking account where we only see red, when we are so frustrated, angry, depressed, sullen, or fearful that we become immobilized to action or simply just going through the motions. God is there.

When God is with us we then can take each corner with the confidence and courage of faith, rather than the tenuous uncertainty of fear. Jesus fully understands our struggles where fear creeps into our hearts and minds, and his most common command is to not fear. Over a hundred times, Jesus makes statements including “not be afraid”, “not fear”, “have courage”, “take heart”, or “be of good cheer”. Jesus repeatedly encourages us to live by faith, and not by fear. As you take those corners where life is on “the edge”, Jesus offers us the redirecting question to keep us on the track, confident and full of faith.

“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”
- Matthew 8:26