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Presented by Jenn Miller
I want to explore the thought that “boundaries are bad.” Now, I don’t mean the boundaries that we choose for ourselves—I like those boundaries because I am in control of them! But what about boundaries in life that I’m not in control of, that I don’t choose? Maybe being a caregiver for an aging parent limits your time and resources. Maybe a physical condition keeps you from certain types of activities. Financial need might require you to work more and limit your ability to serve in an area of interest. These “boundaries” often derail the plan we had set and can be disappointing.
But Psalm 16:5-6 provides encouragement. It says, Lord, you have assigned to me my portion and my cup, you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
So, this psalmist paints a picture of the Lord giving him a God-ordained lot. Picture a yard with a fence around it. Just like a plot of land is portioned out and the boundaries of it are marked, the Lord in his wisdom has given you and me a lot. Psalm 16 says this lot is secure. It has set boundaries that are good, the psalmist even goes so far to use the word “pleasant,” and that this set amount leads to a delightful inheritance.
God in his perfect and loving wisdom has placed certain limits in your life for your good. These boundaries are not meant to harm you but to serve as guardrails to lead you to the specific work God has for you at this time. That doesn’t mean I just resign myself to the hard things of life and never seek change. Of course not, but it does mean that I can humbly, and even joyfully, accept what God allows in my life at this season because I know it has been filtered through the hands of my Father who loves me.
What unique and specific boundaries has the Father allowed in your life? Take a good look at your lot and thank God for it. For now, it is the means to guide your time, energy, and talents toward what the Lord desires you to pursue.
