Have we got good boundaries for 2014?

posted in: Andy Blogs | 0

Ever walked past somewhere that is taped off, may be even with words like “do not cross”?

A few weeks ago, Helen and I were at Katwijk (on the Dutch coast if anyone not in the Netherlands is reading this). A load of work was going on and most of the main beach sealed off. A warning sign in various languages warned of the danger of ground that had become like quicksand and to not enter.

Now we could have taken a view that this boundary was taking away our freedom. But was it? Or did it rather protect us?

Do you remember growing up and at times a parent or someone else saying “no”. Hopefully it was for good reasons. Though even if for good, we may have reacted against it. It can be easy to fall into a trap of thinking that true freedom means to be without boundaries. But does it?

Some people may react against Christianity for instance and say that it is the imposition of rules and controls. But is it?

Dr Henry Cloud in his latest book, “Boundaries for Leaders” writes of boundaries being “what we create and what we allow”. Think on that for a moment, do you agree? Yes or no and why?

Christ on one occasion said these words, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32)

There is a boundary here: “if you abide in my word…” but also a result of having such a boundary – “the truth will set you free”. Sounds like a great boundary! In our lives, what do you think it means to “abide in His word?”

Boundaries – have you got good ones in place? To help create good things and to allow what is best?

Boundaries are never just about ourselves of course but also others.

So a few questions….

Have you set good boundaries over your time? What helps you to prioritise? Do you have a sense of purpose for this year?

Are you able to say “no” to things? Actually every time we say “yes” to something we are saying “no” to something or someone else. But learning to pro-actively and prayerfully say “no” is I suggest better than being a “yes” person.

What determines your moral and ethical compass inside? Have you thought this through so that good boundaries are in place before things potentially happen?

If you are a Christian reading this, do you actively pray and reflect about boundaries in your life?

Do your boundaries also consider others? For instance if you are a parent, how do your life boundaries benefit your kid(s)? Are you modelling to them the need to have good boundaries?  Things such as prioritising personal devotional time, quality time for loved ones, time to relax as well as time to work, personal exercise and getting sleep, serving others generously without taking the world on your shoulders and learning to budget.

Actually even if we don’t have kids, these are all great things to feature in our lives.

So speaking of boundaries, I need to stop writing as other things need attention right now.

Thanks for reading

Andy