Outer Limit

In northern states, snowplow operators, as those in Otter Tail County, Minnesota’s rodeo, “…drive forward through and around a set of barrels, then back up through the same set of barrels; with the side wing plow down, drive closely around a curve without hitting posts; drive past a series of mailboxes with the wing plow down, without hitting the mailboxes; driving a marked straight line; with the truck box up, drive beneath a bridge (bridge is made of metal poles); back up to a loading dock; drive down a narrow path without hitting the side markers; and stopping within a few inches of a line.”

Heavy highway equipment operators in Texas Department of Transportation compete in rodeos, too. Unlike the usual rodeos, these rodeos use equipment instead of animals. In one event, they must center their vehicle in a designated area. To do so, the operator must be so familiar with his equipment that he knows its outer limits, just as in Minnesota.

These drivers must accomplish precision placement of the equipment, requiring knowledge of the space the equipment occupies. They know their boundaries.

How much more so should we be aware of the space our lives occupy?

How do we fill our space? Is our life filled with the light of God's love? Do we think of how it spills over into other lives?

Ye are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14a KJV)

That was spoken to Christ’s disciples, not to the crowds. (And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: Matthew 5:1 KJV) The entire Sermon on the Mount was given to His followers, preparation for their ministry. Do we know how close we are to Him? Are we prepared for His ministry?

Do we trust Him to keep His promises? Have we placed our future in His hands?

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)

Are we willing to follow His instructions? Do we look to them as help in our daily lives.

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:20-21 KJV)

What are our outer limits? Are our lives centered?

(Photo from Otter Tail County 2007 Truck Rodeo)