Walk the Line

Following the Path of Christ Today
By Jeremy Grossman

In 1956, “I Walk the Line” became Johnny Cash’s first number one hit. With its signature Cash “freight train” rhythm, the song is catchy and has been covered numerous times and was also used as the title of the 2005 award-winning biopic of Cash. It’s easy to view the song as presenting a parable of Cash’s sudden rise to stardom: suddenly presented with fame and fortune (and the vices that go with them), Cash vows to his wife and family:
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine.
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds.
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
I find it very, very easy to be true.
I find myself alone when each day is through.
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you.
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
​
Despite these promises and good intentions, we know that Cash failed in his fidelity.  He strayed from the path—he was unable to walk the line he had set out to follow.  How many of us have experienced something similar in our own lives—a promise broken, a commitment not met, or just a plain failure?  How many times have we failed to be examples of the Living Love of Christ?

As Pastor Tracey prepares a sermon series on the “Protestant Stations of the Cross” for this upcoming season of Lent and Easter, I thought about both the physical and figurative lines walked by Christ. What markers did He leave us to follow his path?  As we often stray from the Line during the year, Lent strikes me as a time to make our way back to Christ, to get back to walking the line.  Therefore, starting on the first Sunday of Lent, February 18, we will begin a new series of discussion topics during the Sunday School hour aligned to Pastor Tracey’s sermon series.  Each topic is meant to mirror Pastor Tracey’s sermon later in the morning by focusing on a virtue exemplified by Christ as a different “station”—a signpost instructing us how to follow Christ’s footsteps and “walk the line.”  The schedule is as follows:

• February 18:  Inclusion                                            
• February 25:  Prayer
•  March 4:  Balance           
• March 11:  Justice
• March 18:  Selflessness       
• March 25:  Compassion

Join us at 9:15 AM on Sunday mornings in the parlor conference room. Childcare will be available for anyone who needs it.  Visit the coffee cart for the hot beverage of your choice, and we’ll take turns providing snacks.