6/11/97 Boundaries
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
Boundaries
Because I have children, the word boundaries comes up quite frequently. Often it is as simple as not returning the scissors to the common area, which leads to much frustration on the part of the seeker.
Occasionally it has been a greater offense, but for the most part I have been blessed. And yet in the last few days, boundaries has once again become an issue.
Boundaries for me, as a child were something that I saw to overstep. I was not saved. I stretched every limit, every bound. In my personal life, I saw the need to meet or exceed every challenge. As an adult, I was totally in the world with every boundary established to be broken.
Now I am a believer, walking in the light of Christ, how do I see boundaries?
Proverbs says to bind the commandments of the Lord about your neck, about your fingers. What does this mean? It means that God imposes boundaries. For our safekeeping. I am a wanderer. I like to go the edge of a cliff and look over. My motto has been, "if I am not living on the edge, I am taking up too much room." I want to do it all, all the time.
When I became a Christian, I was a challenge to pastors and friends. I did wrong things, I wanted to live on the edge. And now, thanks to the many prayers of many people, I am finding this new boundary. It is called "in Him". I confess it is new to me. But when I start to leave it, I understand it. And I am coming to the place where I do not want to leave it. To not leave the comfort zone of being in Him.
Why do I speak of boundaries? Is it just a whim? No. I have had many believers say, why do I fall. Many of us know the word sin means missing the mark. The other night a woman shared and empasized it. It struck me that being a Christian takes practice.
If I miss the mark, exiting the boundary, my response of "oh, me", needs to be the start of practicing to get better. If I have walked off the playing field, leaving me open to the wiles of the devil, I need to get back in the game. The safest place of this analogy, being right, smack, dab in the middle.
The "in Him" for me comes into play here. When I stop, look at where I missed and sit in His arms, letting Him guide me, the target becomes easier to focus on, because I am allowing Him to guide me.
Today, let's reduce the pressure of the day. Let's see, "in Him" as a place to be. A place to find food, drink, guidance and rest. A boundary to stay within. Like a child in a coloring book, staying in the lines. And if you go out of the lines, start another picture.
Dear Friends:
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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