Learning about Boundaries...

This past week has had its ups and downs, but I would say that it has come mostly from self-introspection. I think the most amazing thing about the Bible is that it is timeless. It is always teaching new things, revealing new things that were hidden before, but also others have studied new truths and written books to help us understand better. It is not easy to come across new truths about God and yourself. Possible I find them hard because I am unsure how to put these new truths into practice. What should I do? Embrace these new truths or do I just push them aside and continue on my way. In this journey I find myself overwhelmed by God’s grace and patients as He works with me as I work through things. Isn’t it funny how God is respecting my boundaries as a person who has a free will. He knows when to come close, when to give space, when to encourage, when to correct... I know many of us think of boundaries as something that is constricting us or as rules, but in some cases we see boundaries as in our private property, our personal space, or when we play sports. These can be things that give us protection and a space of safety. As I have been thinking of boundaries, how often do we go beyond our boundaries with ourselves, other relationships, or even with God? I have never thought about where is it exactly that myself begins and ends? Even though I have an identity with God, I realize that if I don’t know where I begin and end I can overstep my boundary. I can begin to do things that I was not meant or created to do. Also as I begin to overstep or lets say not have good personal boundaries, life seems to get away from me. Often it is easy to spot a friend who has boundary issues because they struggle with time, relationships, money, chaotic lifestyle, workaholic, and so on. But often we don’t think of how do I struggle with these same things because of self-denial. As I have reflected over the past few years, I see where I have struggled with personal boundaries which has affected my health, marriage, personal relationships, and even the church. This is why I am overwhelmed by God’s love, grace and forgiveness. It would do us all good to think and pray about where is it that I exactly begin and end. We don’t ever see Christ worried about the work he was asked to do here on earth. He knew where the Father’s work began and ended. He knew where the Spirits work began and ended. Because of this he knew exactly where he began and ended. Sometimes his boundaries made people very angry, confused, and hurt, but he did not let this get him off track of knowing himself and what he was sent to do. I know I have a lot more studying to do on this, but I am excited about these new truths. I want to embrace them because they will bring a more healthy lifestyle. A more abundant life that I was meant to live.