In my last post, we talked about fighting for our lives in a dry land not focused upon God. We have a choice in any circumstance we are placed. We looked at the following:

1. The life of one tree vs. the death of another
2. The dryness of the sand vs. the life of green plants on the ground
3. The freedom of the mountains vs. the border of a fence

And then we looked at the contrasts:

1. Trees=life or death
2. Dryness=death or no humidity
3. Green plants=something in my way or life
4. Freedom=stress or relaxation
5. Border=restriction or comfort

What do we do with borders in comparison to our freedom? A fence placed on a property shows others what land belongs to the owner and allows proper boundaries for all parties to be known. Your neighbors might find a fence stressful and restrictive because the fence restricts the open areas. Yet, having this border gives freedom and relaxation to the owner that he is only responsible for the certain area.

When religion is portrayed as a border we can encounter problems or find true freedom. On one side of the border, the fence represents what we can and what we can’t do: restrictions. There is stress because we are asked to do what God desires and not what we desire. There are Christians living out their Christianity this way even today. The sad thing about this viewpoint is that they are missing the point.

If you are on the other side of the fence, there is freedom in the security that you are safe. When we truly rest in God’s arms and realize His boundaries are there for our protection, we will be grateful for His love and we will desire to love Him in return.

Many times we look at the fence and stress over the restrictions it causes instead of focusing upon the protection and security it provides. God desires to keep evil away from us. He desires to have us close to Him.

Are you willing to look past the fence, look up to the freedom of the mountains, and draw close to God? I guarantee your love and appreciation for His borders will grant you a depth of freedom you’ve never known before.

© 2014 Susan M. Sims

 

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