This morning I got to thinking about boundaries & limits. We are so affected by both from the time we are born. Think about it…
We put up a gate to mark the boundary of where a child can go. We set the boundary of bed time. We limit how many cookies a child may eat. We set their bedtimes. We grow up a little. We let them go to the end of the driveway. As teenagers, we only let them stay out so late. As adults, we put up boundaries in relationships, only going “so far”. Our cubicles at work mark “our space”. Even our homes have fences around our yards. We are constantly living with, setting up, moving them around – our boundaries, our limits.Â
God has set up boundaries & limits as well:
“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples.” Deuteronomy 32:8
“Man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months & have set limits he cannot exceed.” Job 14:5
“He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light & darkness.” Job 26:10
Today I got to wondering to what extent is this good? And when does it become harmful?
Boundaries are necessary in our lives. They keep us safe. They keep us healthy. But I think the problem begins when I put boundaries up with God:
- “You may have this much of my heart & that’s all”.
- “You can only work in this area of my life.”
- “You may change this in my life but nothing more.”
The problem continues when I put God in a box & limit Him:
- “You can do this but surely You are not able to do_________”.
- “This would just be impossible for You to change.”
- “There isn’t anything You can do about______________”.
- “This is too hard for You to do anything (with or about)”.
As I thought on all this, the words to an old song came flooding to my mind:
He Giveth More Grace | Annie J. Flint
- He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace. - When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun. - Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. - His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Today I am so grateful that I have a God that is limitless, that knows no bounds, & does not fit in my box.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20
