Boundaries

"Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
    or you will wear out your welcome."

Proverbs 25:17

 

Boundaries.....we see them all the time:

     *  "No Parking"

     *  "Enter Here"

     *  "Loading and Unloading Only"

     *  "Do Not Enter"

     *  "Keep Out"

     *  "No Trespassing"

 

Why do we put up walls when building a house?  BOUNDARIES!

Why do we have locks on our doors and windows? BOUNDARIES!

Why do we have alarm systems? BOUNDARIES!

 

Boundaries are helpful!  Boundaries show respect!  Boundaries are necessary!

 

We don't like it when people disrespect us by ignoring our boundaries.  If you are sitting in your home watching television, and someone just walks right in, takes your television (and the snacks you were enjoying) and walks out with it all...do we just sit there and wait for them to bring it back?  NO!  They have trampled our boundaries and we call the authorities!

 

Even God set boundaries!  He told Adam and Eve that they could enjoy all the food found in the Garden of Eden...EXCEPT for the fruit of one tree.  He set that boundary!  And when it was ignored, God acted swiftly!

 

When satan came to God to attack Job. God set boundaries! "You may take all he has, BUT you cannot touch him."  Satan was smart enough to respect those boundaries.

 

God set boundaries in nature to show us how they are supposed to work.  He made a clear demarcation between Heaven and Earth; between day and night; between land and sky.  Boundaries!  

 

Want people to stop trampling on you and treating you like they own you?  Set Boundaries and KEEP THEM!