The Freeze Line

            After seeing photos of the ice storm in North Texas, I’m feeling guilty about being away during this stretch of bad weather. My friends and family are stuck in their homes while I am free to move about in South Texas. There is no snow or ice in San Antonio.  People are cold, but they are moving around as normal, running errands, shopping for Christmas and eating out.

            The original plan was to leave San Antonio Saturday to go back to the Dallas Ft. Worth metroplex, but after checking the forecast, I realized I would probably make it to Waco before I would encounter dangerous road conditions.  That’s where the freeze line is. By crossing it, I’d be in trouble. Remaining on this side of the freeze line, I’d be OK.

            So after listening to advice from friends, I decided to lean into safety, stay put and head back home tomorrow.

            When thinking about the freeze line, I realized we encounter many freeze lines in our lives.  The freeze line could separate honesty from dishonesty, morality from immorality or moderation from gluttony.  Instead of living on the cautious side, we toy with the idea of stepping across an imaginary line onto a slippery path.  We think we will be able to maneuver through our journey without falling. However, we don’t take into account how those around us will be affected when we are out of control. Eventually, if we crash, we take others with us. The freeze line is there for a reason. It’s a warning.

            Have you ever crossed a freeze line?  What happened?

            In John 8, Jesus taught a lesson about crossing a line.  The Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. In an effort to trap him, they reminded Jesus the law of Moses called for the adulterous woman to be stoned and asked him what he thought should be done.

            Jesus didn’t answer them right away.  Instead he started writing on the ground.

            I wonder if he drew a line? 

            Impatient, the Pharisees kept asking him questions. I can visualize them with their hands on their hips, tapping their toes saying, “Well?”

            Jesus eventually straightened up and said something profound.

            Let any one of you who is without sin cast the first stone at her. (John 8:7)

            I don’t think the Pharisees had to ponder the question very long.  One by one the woman’s accusers left the scene. Jesus had drawn a freeze line between grace and judgment, one that the Pharisees wisely did not cross.

            Are you more prone to cross the line into judgment or do you stay on the side of grace?

            Think about the freeze lines in your life. They are in place to keep you from skidding. They aren’t just dealing with morality. Like in the case of the adulterous woman, those lines might be mental lines we cross.

            Trust to worry. Peace to fear. Love to hate. 

            When we do make a decision to defy the warnings, our minds spin out of control and it’s difficult to slow our thoughts down.

            So, when facing a freeze line, I am learning to think through it first.  Before I decide to cross it, I must go to the cross and ask Jesus what he thinks.

            Is it wise? What would I face on the other side? 

            Sometimes it’s better to just stay put.