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Recent storms that brought rain, freezing temperatures, and large amounts of snow have made keeping the roads clear a challenge. Today, we entered a new phase — rain and warmer temperatures, which may at a later date be called the January thaw. As I drove to work early this morning in the darkness, I noticed something hidden in previous days: the edge of the road.

What in previous days had appeared as a wide, white road flanked with snowbanks, today revealed pavement and gravel edges between the large snowbanks. I found that I needed to be more careful today or my tires would find the edge of the pavement, and I would be driving on gravel.

Even the carefully-piled-high snowbanks seemed to draw my eyes to them. How easy it was for me to lose my focus on the road in front of me!

Proverbs 5:21 – For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. (NIV)

Living on the edge is just as dangerous as driving on the edge. After all the hustle and bustle of December, we can easily become distracted with trying to navigate this new season. We need to keep our focus on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our lives. We need to take captive the thoughts of deception that the enemy tosses our way — such as the extra pounds from Christmas, or the bills from Christmas spending, or even the weather that can make us housebound even to the point of missing worship.

Now is not the time for edge living. We need to hunker down, to ramp up our prayer life, to make a plan to combat the extra pounds or spending that have taken place, and to move forward, taking each day as a step ahead. If we find ourselves housebound, let us have a plan of action to be praying for others, using this as an opportunity to increase our time with the Lord and to develop and strengthen our relationship with Jesus.

Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (NIV)

Prayer: We are truly blessed to be able to have a relationship with You, Lord. Challenge us, and help us to walk in obedience to Your Word. Renew in us, each day, a fresh passion for You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Julie Bowles