Image Source: Stock Exchange
Years ago (and in some countries today),it wasn’t unusual to mark property lines or a change in direction of property lines with the use of giant stones or markers. It was understood that these “boundary stones” represented true, physical restrictions from going freely into adjoining property or having someone encroach into one’s own property. The boundary stones were practical ways people in history knew whose land was where.
Sometimes, these properties were expansive. I picture myself frolicking amidst large, lush, rolling hills all within the boundary lines established by the Lord. The boundary stones are off in the distance and I so relish the freedom and joy I have skipping, dancing and playing in open fields with grass and flowers that I don’t even consider running to the stones and pushing against them with all my weight. It wouldn’t occur to ancient peoples to object to the presence of the boundary stones in their lives. Proverbs 22:28 challenges us not to move ancient boundary markers.
What if we were to rest in the portion God has assigned us?
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:5-6
Does God want you to follow your 0 to 5 eating boundaries today?
For me, when I don’t live according to the pleasant boundaries he has established for me, I feel like I am that girl in the open meadow, forsaking all the beauty and freedom that is available to me, striving with all my might to push against the monolithic stone to justify my desire to go beyond it.
What will you have to give up in order to follow your God-given boundaries today?
Sometimes, I feel like I am giving up so much wonder and joy of what is beyond the boundary markers. When I have my eyes set on what is out there, I fail to rejoice in what is mine, right in front of me.
What will you gain now and in the future if you follow your God-given boundaries even when you don’t feel like it today, tomorrow and the next day?
Could the joy of living within the boundary stones be enough for me, knowing that I do so as the Father sings over me with joy? Can I “feel like it”—feel like living within the parameters that my good and gracious Father has set for me—by getting my eyes off the stones in the distance and setting them, instead, on all the freedom I have within these stones and His presence here with me?
What will life look like in 3 months if you begin to live within your boundaries now?
What will life look like in 3 months if you put off living within your boundaries?
What will happen if you decide to wait until you want to live according to your boundaries? Is that likely to happen anytime soon?
What is God doing in your life through your participation in working to live within your boundaries?
Are you hindered by perfectionism?
When will you follow 0 to 5 eating perfectly?
Will you join me in delighting, rejoicing, praising within the boundaries that God has so graciously given us today? Will you resolve, along with me, not to push against the boundary stones, but instead be in awe of all that has been given to us to freely enjoy?
Note: The questions in this post are adapted from Barb Raveling’s “Following Your Boundaries“ questions.
Will you join me in delighting, rejoicing, praising within the boundaries that God has so graciously given us today? Will you resolve, along with me, not to push against the boundary stones, but instead be in awe of all that has been given to us to freely enjoy?
YES!!! Heidi, thank you for this wonderful post!! I am committed!!!
Dalena, you are a wonderful example to so many, too, as you lead your Thin Within groups. BIG HUGS!
Thank you, Heidi! Hugs to you too!!! It’s due to me meeting you and being taught and trained by you that God is able to use me now, for Him, here in Maquoketa. 🙂 God bless you and both of our ministries, and I pray for all the ladies participating in the Thin Within study, in anyway.
Thank you for this post. I just prayed about my boundaries 5 minutes ago! I am saving this post to review over and over. A committed and thank you so much for ministering to us!
Hi, Jen. Thanks for your encouragement. God will give us strength today to do His will. 🙂
Perspective! I never really looked at the boundary lines as something that I can keep my eyes on, knowing that it’s there, but at the same time I can dance around in the freedom I have WITHIN those boundaries. Wow! Praise God!
Christina, I just love the picture you painted in my mind. I love to dance! Let’s all have a joyful dance today within our precious, God-given boundaries!!!
” I can dance around in the freedom I have WITHIN those boundaries. Wow! Praise God!”
I love this!!! I love to dance, and now the image of this just fortifies me!! Thank you, Christina, for these words!!!
Blessings, Dalena
Yikes!! I didn’t realize I’d already responded to this! 🙂 Interesting, exactly 1 month ago. I’ve been on a lot of pain meds since then, so forgive me if I repeat myself. It’s like reading God’s Word, though, isn’t it. Every time we read it it has new meaning for us, as if we’re hearing it for the 1st time.
Thanks Heidi..I just viewed your video on just what hunger means, and many times I try to wait for a growl..and that doesn’t always happen..But, I do know when my stomach is empty..I think that a lot of times when I thought I was a 1 or 2, I was really hungry; waiting for the “growl”…It does release the pressure of feeling guilty for not “waiting”…I really enjoy what you share here..Thanks..Hugs
Hi, Barbi. Yes, the growl is tricky. So many hunger/fullness programs encourage that and we are taught from the earliest ages that a “tummy growl” is hnger. So often that just isn’t the case. Growl can be associated with digestion from the previous meal! Also, just blood sugar issues can cause tummy growl. My biggest tummy growls come about thirty minutes (yup…that soon!) after I have eaten pancakes and syrup on an empty tummy or in the rare instance I have fruit on an empty tummy I will have LOUD growls very soon after. I am convinced that hunger is not often indicated by growl…not for many of us anyhow!
Love this post. In fact, love all your posts and videos! You are such a blessing to me and an inspiration.
Thank you so much, Ginger. I appreciate your kind words. It means so much to me tonight. Thank you.