Living in the middle

Have you ever been stuck in the middle on a long car ride? Being given the chance to fend off two people who have decided to harass you. Or to play referee between two opposing forces.

The middle is where most people tend to hang out and ride the fence. You have the chance to go with the most convincing argument. A decision is made with the masses. There is safety in the middle according to some.

But what about living in the middle of life with someone? Do you want to invest in someones life? If so, be prepared to live in the middle of it all - the good, the bad and especially the ugly. The middle is where it thins out in life. Unlike in politics or making a decision where the middle can be crowded, when you are living in the middle of the mess of life, people don't want to venture there. It is messy. Things get complicated. There aren't easy answers. There are often more questions than answers. When it is going good you might have some people along for the ride, but in the middle it is easier to tell who cares about you because the crowds have thinned.

Are you a Christian? If so, I would say that the middle is where we are called to live. The place where hurts exist, where the realities of life collide with what you say you believe, the place where we are the most unlovable but need the most love, the tension from the tests of life - this is the middle. This is where a pursuit of Jesus will lead you. The place where people are hurting and need an unexplainable and unconditional love. It isn't for the weak. It isn't easy. Living in the middle will cost you - time, money, heartache, and comfort.

Wonder if we shouldn't just just ask people who decide to follow Christ if they are ready to live in the middle? Don't know if you are in the middle yourself or trying to help someone who is, but I think this might be where life is decided. It isn't crowded there, but some amazing things can happen in the middle. Ready to jump into the middle of it all?