Our Boundary Lines Have Been Drawn In Pleasant Places...

It is true...we don't always understand what God is doing or why He has allowed certain things. Today, our family will be burying my 30-year-old cousin. This is not a story of her personal choices bringing her to the end of herself. She was a young, loving mama who just got sick. She was surrounded by her sweet family and top-notch medical care. It wasn't "supposed" to go this way. We are absolutely heartbroken!

A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking to a dear friend who has been through a long season of very hard things. We agreed that God is Sovereign and good, but also that when things happen that are heart-wrenching and, per our estimation, unfair, the why questions naturally start to arise. However, the Holy Spirit reminded us of the Father's Word as we spoke. I am so grateful for the timing of this conversation. God was speaking to me before I knew I needed it.

First, He reminded me of Psalm 16, which speaks of boundary lines being drawn in pleasant places. That thought then triggered a memory of the picture where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. The two have a distinct visual difference, but the contrast goes beyond that. The Atlantic is choppy, and the Pacific, consisting of more rainwater, is cleaner and colder.

Because God drew this boundary with His mighty hand, we might think the line is definite enough to prevent the two bodies of water from touching, but that's not true. They do mix, and the speed they do depends on the wind and waves...all of which are also allowed by God.

Doesn't this make you think of all the "waters, winds, waves, and boundary lines" in your life?

Think about it...If we believe Ephesians 2:10, where Paul says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do,” We also must believe that all of the winds and waves that He forms near our boundary lines are to speed up or slow down the mixing of the waters on each side in order to prepare us for what He has prepared for us.

Looking at this picture from the top on a sunny day is pleasing to the eye and even soothing to a soul that loves Elohim, Creator God. However, no matter what you believe, living on the line with the wind and waves raging causes us to lose sight of the One who has never lost control.

In Luke 8:22-25, the disciples were in the boat with Jesus, and he said, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." When the storm came, though, they became afraid, but even with their unbelief, Jesus still calmed the storm.

An important note to recognize about this is not only their lack of faith but also how they didn't pay attention to the promise of Jesus's direction. He told them they were going to the other side, but because the conditions were rough, they forgot they would make it simply because He said they would!

Here's a fact...Satan does not want you to experience Immanuel, God with us while the winds and waves are raging. He either wants to fog the overhead view completely, or he wants you to feel as though you have to know or figure out everything about the boundary lines, the winds, waves, temperature, and duration.

God wants you to believe He drew the lines, you will make it to the other side, and He is with you to the very end. He wants you to understand that Jesus can calm your storm no matter what you believe, but He wants you to accept the peace that comes from having faith in Him.

Do you need help believing that? Read Psalm 16, Ephesians 2, Luke 8, and add Psalm 131. Scripture is replete with the assurance of our Sovereign God's great wonder and personal tenderness. We cannot have that faith without spending time with Him. We cannot trust someone we don't spend time with.

“Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too wondrous for me. Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like a weaned child. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭131‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭CSB

---

Super Simple Healthy Nugget...

Have you made a few resolutions that have already started to fall through?

Listen...That's ok! Don't beat yourself up, BUT definitely pick yourself back up!

Go back to the basics. Pick out your favorite healthy foods and enjoy them in proper portions today. Think about your favorite way to exercise, and JUST DO IT!

The trick is that you make your plan from the top of the day.

Winging it just won't work!

Here's what my food for the week looks like...

• Banana/Cherry protein shake and eggs or turkey sausage for breakfast

• Big salads with lots of veggies and big chunks of my favorite meat for lunch

• Honey oatmeal cookies for snack

• Lean meats and veggies for dinner

And exercise...

• 7-10 minutes of weight resistance and 7-10 minutes of stairs (Tues, Thurs, Fri, & Sat).

You may not have control over the boundary lines that God has drawn for your life, but He has given you charge over the temple that is your body! WHAT'S YOUR PLAN?