The Power of Boundaries

Boundaries

            The freeze brought a marathon mowing season to an end. The rains of the spring and summer of 2019 were welcomed but ramped up my mowing schedule considerably.

            Over and over this summer, I have been thankful for Rick Rice locating a used, well-cared-for John Deere lawn mower. This upgrade made my mowing job easier.

            Good boundaries can limit weed eating. Each of my mowing sessions began with a slow, methodical creation of a perimeter boundary. The John Deere clipped a clean, close edge each time. After mowing a well-defined border of the lawn, as Dad would say, I could go a scootin’ as I finished the weekly mowing task. 

The dependable new-to-me
John Deere mower
established  an outer
 boundary.

            As I steered the trusty mower through the final round, I mused on the importance of boundaries in our lives. From toddlers to those advanced in years, parameters are needed for safety and well-being.

            Our speech, relationships, commitment to quality scripture study, and family foundations are just a few areas where boundaries are essential. Here are some passages that give guidelines.

Speech

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

Relationships

Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go. Proverbs 22:24

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” I Corinthians 15:33

Bible Study

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Foundation for Raising a Family

[Spoken by Joshua near the end of his life] “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

            Other boundaries, such as thankfulness and compassion, act as buffers against Satan. He plots to erode our borders of protection. Jesus said the wicked one comes to "steal, kill, and destroy." In the same verse in John 10:10, after exposing Satan's sinister plan for humans,  Jesus contrasts His mission to give "abundant life."
            On their final missionary journey, Paul and Silas ministered in Berea. Luke, the writer of Acts, extolled the commitment of the Berean Christians to study:

The people here were more open-minded that those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were true. Acts 17:11

If we are like the Bereans, we check what is taught with our gold standard – God’s Word. When it rings true to the scripture, we can embrace what we've learned wholeheartedly. Setting up scriptural principles as our boundaries in all areas of our lives ensure peace and contentment.

Lord, give us a discerning heart endowed with Your wisdom in establishing boundaries for living a life that honors You. When tempted to defy our principles, give us courage and decisiveness to stay within the boundaries wherein we have committed to live. May our days, months, and years continuing in Your boundaries bring glory to Your Name.