Boundary Lines | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Boundary Lines | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pamela Kliewer
03/18/09
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As I sat in my favorite spot at the beach, I began to think of the verses I’d read that morning. My eyes took in the glistening diamonds bouncing on the waves, the pristine blue of the sky, the multicolored grains of sand. As I thought of the verses though, those beautiful sites of nature began to pale in comparison to what was on my heart. I took out my journal and a pen. I always carried them with me when I went to the beach.

Psalm 16:5-9
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
Thou dost support my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.

I have always loved this passage, especially when I think of the phrase, ‘the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.’ Boundaries. In the Kingdom of God there are boundaries. Certain parameters are set in place for my benefit. These lines are pleasant if I am willing to admit that they are for my good.

I’m reminded of a story I once heard of a ‘test’ done on some children – the fence around a school play yard was taken away. Without the fence the children all congregated to the middle of the schoolyard, not venturing to the outskirts of the playground. When the fence was put back in place, the children felt free to roam again to the outer edges. Security gave them freedom to play.

The same is true in my life as a Christian in the Kingdom of God. When I have the fence put in place, so to speak, I am free to go where those boundaries lie, because I am secure in knowing I am protected within the parameters laid down for me.

I think of the other phrase in this passage: My flesh also will dwell securely. Wow. When I am tucked into the lines God has set for me, realizing that they fall in pleasant places, my flesh will be secure, safe, because I am not doing anything to harm this temple that the Holy Spirit dwells in.

Pleasant places… places I can go in my heart that bring me to places of joy and rest. The knowledge that I am a child of God and He wants only what is best for me, thus the ‘lines falling for me in pleasant places.’ Obedience is key to always knowing the delight of boundaries. I don’t have to mumble and complain about not being able to do this or that, but I can rejoice because my heavenly Father has my best interests at heart.

Scripture reference: NASB

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