The other day, I was sitting on the couch and Zeke came running from the other side of the room with something he wanted to show me. On his way to me he stubbed his toe on the ottoman and hurt himself. After I consoled him, I reminded him that was why we have a rule to not run in the house. The rule isn’t so he doesn’t have fun. It is to protect him. Just because we have that rule doesn’t mean he will never stub his toe (I think we are all aware of how they are magnets for furniture legs). But it will lessen the chances of it happening.
Jesus often compares us to sheep (see John 10:11). Sheep are not the brightest animal. One thing they are good at though is following a leader. Jesus compares himself to a shepherd not because he wants to and cage us and restrict us. In fact, in His days, sheep often weren’t even fenced in. There wasn’t anything keeping them from running away except their desire to follow the leader. But that doesn’t mean it never happened.
We live in a society that doesn’t like boundaries. We don’t like to have rules that we should follow. We don’t want to be told what to do, when to do it, or how to do it. Boundaries are seen as evil and we want to break through them all. However, that isn’t always the case.
I am married so I have set boundaries for being around other women. I wouldn’t spend a night in a hotel alone with another woman. Not because I think I would have an affair, but because it would be dumb to put myself in that situation. I haven’t set this boundary because Angela and I set up rules when we got married and if they are broken we are splitting up. I have it because I love her and am committed to her.
When it comes to serving God, I need to set boundaries in my life. Not because I feel like if I don’t that I won’t be saved. I need them because I love Him and am committed to Him. He is my shepherd and knows what is best for me. Boundaries are less about being caged and more about keeping my eyes on Jesus. It isn’t a “do this” and “don’t do that” list. If I keep my eyes on Him, He will guide me through the dangerous terrain.
until next time…