Have you ever been tempted by greener grass? Something that just looked too good to resist?
Often as Christians, we fail to appreciate and recognize the protection of living inside of God’s boundaries. Instead, we view them as obstacles to our own pleasure and enjoyment.
I’ll never forget a lesson I learned about boundaries and greener grass years ago when our youngest two were just preschoolers. We had just moved to a new community, and one of my favorite benefits of our new home was it’s fenced-in backyard! The security of a fence gave this mama of four a lot of peace of mind!
Our children were under strict instructions to never leave the protection of the fence without permission. They knew swift consequences would follow if they should choose to disobey.
But I had seen him, our littlest boy, eyeing the gate from time to time…looking for the proverbial greener grass.
What would happen if he chose to leave the security and protection of our fenced backyard for the greener grass? Perhaps nothing, at first.
Perhaps nothing, at first.
In fact, we may not even catch him doing it right away.
Escaping negative consequences, he would likely decide to slip out unnoticed again….and again… and yet again… until one time, he ventures far enough to find himself suddenly facing grave danger.
And like disobedient Peter Rabbit suddenly face-to-face with the Gardener, he quickly understands the reason behind the boundary, the one he crossed without permission, the one meant to protect him, not to ruin his fun.
But it’s too late.
*This post has a new home! Follow this link to read the rest. 🙂
Devotional book please!!!!! Thank you for the time you invested to put such a striking reminder together. I want to write “remember who built it and why he built it” on our walls in big bold lettering as a constant reminder that His boundaries are for our good, not what’s standing in the way of our good! Beautiful Jen. I love the whole passage of your last verse and the comparison of a dried up tumbleweed versus the life giving tree. I have that verse hanging up in the kitchen!
Thanks for the encouragement, Sarah! 🙂 I think I need to put that on my walls, too!
Jen 🙂
Jen,
This is my 1st time visiting your blog. I linked up after you at Tell His Story. I love your blog’s theme verse and title, and this post was fantastic.
A verse that reminds me to stay in the fence is John 10:10 where we are reminded that God gives life abundant, but the enemy is seeking to destroy me. There is a lot of danger outside of the fence… I am thankful for its protection.
Blessings to you! 🙂
Lyli, I’m so happy you visited today. I’m just getting my start here in the blogging world, so you’re encouragement is meaningful to me. John10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Excellent verse for staying inside of the fence. Thanks for sharing that!
Jen 🙂
How often we want to push against those boundaries, thinking they’re out to spoil our fun. Yet God knows SO much more than we do about what’s on the other side of the fence. Thanks for the reminder that being content on THIS side of the fence is where true freedom can be found.
Thanks, Lisa. It’s something we all struggle with at times – I know I do! I think, fundamentally, we forget who God is. His character is truly good. When I remember that, it’s easier for me to follow through in obedience, to remain near to him. Thanks for visiting!
Jen 🙂
What a wonderful post about the importance of obedience. This is an area we are working with our 3 year old on. It’s not easy – but so vital. Learning to obey as children goes a long way in helping us learn to obey God as adults.
Very true! Thanks for visiting.
Jen 🙂
I love this – such a great reminder the things we chase after, thinking they will please us, are only temporary. God’s Word provides what we need for lasting contentment and true joy. And – love what you did with “sinking sand” and “miry clay” and “thick mud” – love the visual! 🙂
Thanks, Becky! 🙂
At one point, I’m guilty of this. But I’ve come to realize that the grass is greener where you water it. 🙂
There’s truth in that, too, Lux!
Jen 🙂
Amen!!!
Wow, Jen – brilliant lesson, brilliantly written.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
It’s so so true.
May the Lord help us all to stay inside His fence!
God bless,
Lois
Lois, yes, we all need that help, don’t we? 🙂
Amen to that, Lois. We all need help recognizing that His boundaries are for our best life. 🙂