Seventh-day Adventist® Church

It feels like just yesterday that the new year began and yet it is already the last day of January. Just yesterday everyone was doing the usual thing that many of us do at the beginning of a new year: wishing each other every good blessing for the year to come, making resolutions, setting goals, making plans and looking forward to change. But if we take a look back, how many of us can say that we achieved what we set out to in the past year or at least are on the path of doing what we said we would do?

Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Alabama, began the year 2023 with a series entitled “On the Verge of Something…”. Pastor Debleaire Snell is convinced that many, if not all, of us are on the verge of something. The series dealt with being on the verge of physical, spiritual, mental, relationship, financial greatness, among other things.

What are you on the verge of? How long have you been on the verge? A new year usually suggests that we are on the verge of new beginnings. But how many of us are on the verge of beginnings from the start of the year but have not yet made any attempt to step off the verge? Maybe some of us are still on the verge of beginnings from last year or even the year before. If so, what is preventing us from stepping off the verge?

Remember the Israelites? God performed many miracles and granted them His favour so they could reach the Promised Land, yet they remained on the verge of entering that land for 40 years. Why? Lack of faith and trust, disobedience, looking back on the past, worrying, complaining, forgetting God’s goodness, promises and favour; all resulted in some of them remaining on the verge until their dying day, never stepping off that verge into greatness.

Maybe you are on the verge of better health; take the first step, start a simple exercise or cut out something from your diet, increase your water intake, go to bed earlier. Or maybe it is improving a relationship; make that call or visit, say you are sorry or extend forgiveness. Maybe you are on the verge of a spiritual breakthrough; start praying, or find a prayer partner if you are finding it difficult to pray, join a Bible study group or establish your own personal study time, trust God and start returning tithes, volunteer to do something at church. Maybe it is financial freedom; start that business, send out those applications, cut back on spending. Or maybe you are on the verge of personal development; write out your goals, write that poem or first chapter of that book, take that course or lessons, start reading, go to the beach, watch the sunset. 

The list of what we are on the verge of is endless and the possibilities vary for all of us. What is evident is that we are all capable of moving off that verge with God’s help. By the same token, we can remain on that verge if we allow self and circumstances to stand in our way.

In the final analysis, to move off the verge, they are steps we can take:

1. Understand that God’s plans for our lives are the best (Jeremiah 29:11)
2. Align your will with God’s will (Romans 12:2) so that you are on His path and not your own.
3. Call out to God and seek Him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29: 12, 13; Matt 6:33)
4. Listen to His still small voice (1Kings 19:11-13)
5. Obey Him and reap the rewards of obedience (Deuteronomy 28)

I challenge you to say no to the obstacles of doubt, fear, worry, disbelief, procrastination etc. and stand tall on that verge, look out at the possibilities, then step off in faith, knowing that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) if we trust Him and obey. Do not be stuck on the verge of something great!