The Rest Of Your LifeSample

Boundary Lines

A keynote speaker from Billy Graham ministries was once speaking at a pastor’s conference in the US. He caused a stir in the audience when he said, “A busy Christian is not a spiritual Christian.” There was a slight buzz around the room as people reacted to his statement. I am sure some of those pastors bristled. Others may have felt a sense of relief. Others may have thought they had heard him wrong.

So much of being in God’s presence is about rest and stopping. But many people I know are breathlessly living in a world of last-minute decisions. Heavily relying on their own resources to get them through things that are half-prepared or poorly-conceived, they feel like they are on a runaway train. 

When we allow work to bleed into every other area of life it will disrupt the balance and rhythm we are meant to have. All of what we do for work, both in terms of paid or unpaid activity, needs to have boundary lines. The good news is that Bible tells us in our reading today from Psalm 16:6 (NIV) that our lives can have helpful, clear and even pleasant borders

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

I think this is really key. When we know what we don’t have to do, it frees us to do the things we are meant to do.

Operating from this place allows us to work better and to rest more effectively. 

Psalm 144:14 (CSB) says, “Our cattle will be well fed. There will be no breach in the walls, no going into captivity, and no cry of lament in our public squares.”

In a world of terrorism, turmoil and tempestuous politics, this is an amazing prayer and promise! The truth is, when our boundaries are in the wrong place, this brings bondage. We all know people who are working too hard, carrying fear, living with anxiety and wading through stress. They are enslaved, but they can’t see it. We read of nation squaring up against nation, leaders unwisely venting their vitriol on Twitter, others sending out test missiles to show their strength. It can feel like a dangerous world to inhabit. But God can give both meaning and safety to our lives. 

• Thank Him today for giving you the blessing of boundary lines in your life.