Boundaries

Boundary lines. We hear a lot about boundaries these days. Really good books have been written about boundaries in marriage, parenting, friendship and the other relationships we humans share.

Far back in my memory is the scripture that says "the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely, I have a delightful inheritance from the Lord." The Lord has been leading me to some conclusions about this verse in the last few months. The thoughts simply came to me. I know they are from Him.

I have a space and time in God’s plan. In popular culture, the term settling means one has given up on dreams for a better life in some area and have “settled”. It is rather a negative suggestion when someone says you have settled. You have quit trying, working, creating change in some way in your life. In choosing a mate or choosing to honor your marriage vows, some say one has settled if their life is not just what they had pictured it to be. So people keep working, keep striving, and many keep looking for a person that will make them happy. I’ve learned a new truth. And it is settling to my soul.

I’m not like my friend, Tim, who is an amazing salesman. He is a very successful businessman in his own right, and his lifestyle and business reflect that. Tim is being Tim. He is living in the boundary lines of his life plan, and he blesses many people in his journey. I am successful in my business in many ways. I have a much larger business than any effort I have put forth. I suspect Tim would say the same thing about his business efforts.

Some people are so gifted in decorating or creating or cooking or putting together a wardrobe. They can’t help themselves anymore than I can keep myself from talking to people about their heart needs. We don’t need to duplicate each other – we simply need to be who we have been created to be in our time and space.

I don’t have “wow” success in comparison to many. But I have way more than enough, and that provision by God frees me to live in my boundary lines, which are more about ministry to people than business building. I live in humble surroundings (that I love); I drive a ten year old car (that I delight in requiring no payment); my “exotic” vacation is a few days on the beach with my loved ones (that I love better than the fanciest of dream trips); and I’m not known for any great thing that singles me out above the rest. A simple life is mine.

So Tim gets to be Tim, and I get to be me. And you get to be you. Our lives are different yet the same. We can each be a redeemed sinner who delights in sharing that with others as God gives us opportunity. Some of us do that with words and others simply do that with their life!

With whom do you compare yourself – and come up lacking or elevated? Find your boundary lines. Observe where God is using you or pulling you. Go to those places without comparing yourself to others. Enjoy them. They are pleasant indeed – a delightful inheritance!