I walked out of the church late one night this week and was headed home.  I got in my car and it would not start.  I could not understand it.  Then I remembered that I needed to get gas when I had met Laura for supper earlier,  but I decided I would get it on the way back.  I knew I could make it a few more miles and I was right.  I was able to make it all the way back to the church.

You are probably saying to yourself?  “How could he be that dumb?”  Well, it is sometimes hard to keep track.  I only have a gauge, a warning light, and a trip computer that tells me how many miles I have left.  I remember it was on 10 when I left the church.  I ended up driving on zero for a while.

There is one thing of which I am proud.  How many people do know exactly how far their car will go after they get to zero?  I do!  I got back to the church and found that night that I did not have a single mile left.  I walked over to the gas station, got some gas and got home even later than expected.

I tell you that story because I can’t hide it.  My loyal family is telling everyone that will listen.  It was not a bad experience.  I just wasn’t thinking and I cut it too close.

In this instance that is okay.  In life it is a disaster.  I see people all the time that think they can walk close to the edge in terms of their conduct.  They think they will be okay and find out that they have in reality crossed the line.  It results in embarrassing situations, moral failures, relationship struggles, vocational problems, spiritual defeat, financial challenges or any number of other difficulties.

In I Timothy 6 Paul gives a list of temptations.  He tells him to flee from them.  Paul does not want him to cut it too close.  That is certainly good advice for the world in which we live.

The other night I cut it too close and it cost me a few minutes.  When we walk to close to the things of this world it will cost us a lot more.