Boundaries
Words matter. You’ve heard that before. Some words have more authority than others. The words with the most authority should get more of our attention. They are the ones we are to act on first. Words from God have both authority and action precedence. Words from God are true, timeless, and spoken for humans.
A word from God has been on my mind all day. It is “boundaries.” The word boundaries like other words, has synonyms. I have chosen the five which fit the context of the verses from the Bible where the word boundaries is used. There are five.
From them we discover 5 realities for life:
1. God sets limits for the earth and humans who live on it. Throughout the earth there are God established limits. God sets the limits for the earth and sky, call them horizons. God has also set His law for all humans. God’s law sets limits for human activity. These limits are for you and me. God’s limits keep us in the place He has planned for us.
2. God has established restrictions. Does that sound negative, undesirable? God’s restrictions are binding. Perhaps this last statement sounds even worse. Stop a moment to think Who made these restrictions. Does God know what He is doing? It is God’s hand which restricts sunlight and creates a shadow. Shade blocks the rays of the sun. During a hot day, shade is always welcome. In the same way, His restrictions are for our best interest. They are in our best interest. After all it is God who created us. He knows what we are made for…and not made for.
3. The boundaries of God establish safe confines for humans to live in. A landscape boundary separates lawn from flowers. The landscape blocks keep grass from limiting the growth and development of flowers on the other side. Living outside of the boundaries of God always brings trouble and heartache to the human who does so. What appears to be confining is really the infinite wisdom of God. Because God loves every human, His confines are set by love. We are safest in the confines of God.
4. God boundaries show us where the edge is. Leaves have edges. The edges or borders of a leaf make clear where the edge of the leaf is. A leaf border enables us to know where the leaf begins, or ends. Too simple? Consider all of the edges, the borders of leaves in the plant world…complex, not simple. God sets borders for us. His “borders” for us are found in the Bible. Knowing what the Bible says enables us to know the borders of God for human life. God’s boundaries show us where God is, and where God is not. We can see the power of God in the physical borders He has established. The sun rules the day, the moon rules the night. At 46.9° N. latitude, there are four distinct seasons. God sets the limits for each.
5. God boundaries are made to keep us in fellowship with Him Fellowship with God is what every human was made for. A dragonfly has four transparent wings. But we know where each wing ends. The edges or boundaries of dragonfly wings while clear are distinguishable from their surroundings. We need the boundaries set for humans by God. We need them because we need God. His boundaries keep us where He is. The best place to be for any human being is in fellowship with the One who made us.
The word “boundaries” says to both of us: God has all authority...all the power. God boundaries were made for us to LIVE in. Keep this in mind too, all earthly boundaries were made by God. There is comfort in this knowledge. Within God’s boundaries there is true freedom.