Cliff Notes on .. Cliffs

Cliff notes on Cliffs - Umm, cliffs are dangerous?
In Psalms 118:13, the Psalmist writes.. I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed and held me.  In Luke 4:29 we read of the unruly mob wanting to kill Jesus by throwing him off a cliff.

Dangerous Roads are.. umm dangerous too!
Then Matthew 7:13 shares.. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

So far, you are thinking.. Thank you Captain Obvious.
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Next let's, combine 1. those dangerous roads, add.. 2. a steep cliff, next add.. 3. a sea far below our cliff crashing into the rocky coastline, and finally add many many.. 4. lost souls on this path running off a cliff to their deaths.. this is where you find the infamous LEMMING.

Being a literal lemming is nothing to brag about.  They are part of the rodent family and their claim to fame (or infamy) is for their suicidal cliff diving method of population control.  So it goes without saying, being called a lemming is not considered a compliment.

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Being a Lemming implies you just follow the crowd, and do not think and/or act out on your own.  Speaking in defense of lemmings in some ways it is nice to fit into the crowd and not make waves (no cliff diving pun here), and so most of us have a little lemming in us.

Then there are those who believe they are the Anti-Lemming. They boast in their 'self-proclaimed' independence. They are leaders, builders, buyers, quarterbacks, CEOs, and politicians.  side point: politicians are a breed of lemming all to themselves. While it is good to have leaders and innovators, and also good to have those who work behind the scenes, and those who are true servant leaders... BUT, no matter your status in societies pecking order, when it comes to ETERNITY.  Don't follow the crowd, don't be a Lemming.

In our Lemming society it is easy to observe too many follow the crowd. From fashion, fads, political views, sports teams, peer pressure are all factors as we get in line for our cliff run.  Even in the church where we are called to be different.. 

(Romans 12:1-2) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Instead we 'Christians' too often apologize, go quiet, or act embarrassed to stand out for Jesus. So often we are entertained by our crass society, we spend money on ourselves, match vacations with our neighbors, keep up with the Jones's as much as humanly possible leaving little time or money for others and for God.. and wham bam before we know it we are knowingly or unwittingly a LEMMING.  This is not always true of course, but.. remember.. If it looks like a lemming, runs like a lemming, and smells like a lemming.. it  is probably a .. LEMMING.

May God bless and lead each of you today. Be still and listen for his leading. Read his Word, know his will and obey God only.  Love God, care for others and beware the trail to the cliff riddled with lemming droppings (not to be confused with lemon drops).

Jeff (Back Pew Guy) Larson

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