Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Boundaries”
Our Bible verse for today: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 (HCSB)
Why is it so important to establish appropriate boundaries in our lives? Why must we be intentional and firm about limiting the amount of activity we engage in, and refusing to allow other people to fill our lives with their priorities and expectations? There are many good reasons.
For one thing, when we have too much going on then our life begins to look like the proverbial five pound bag filled with ten pounds of stuff. Everything is spilling over the edges. For another, there’s the issue of quality over quantity. If we have too much going on at once, we end up doing lots of things poorly rather than a few things well. This also touches on the issue of superficiality over depth. The more we have going on, the more superficial our involvement with that person or that event will necessarily have to be.
But there’s another even more important reason for good boundaries and extra space in our lives. It’s a matter of spiritual growth. When we’re living life at a frantic pace, with our bodies and minds racing from one thing to another, there’s not much time to think about God, to read our Bibles, or to pray.
The transformation and renewal that Paul was calling us to in Romans 12:2 happens mostly in the quiet times. It occurs when we have created a good amount of quiet space for ourselves where we regularly spend time with God. Remember the “buffer zones of quiet inactivity” I referred to in yesterday’s devotional? This is it. This needs to be regular and protected time. This is where you regain your sanity, where your mind is purged and purified from the pollution of the world, and it’s where you meet with God privately – just you and Him. Think of it as your happy place. It’s also helpful to think of it as your daily appointment with God. He will be there. He will be waiting. So don’t stand Him up.
Without question this is the most important boundary you can establish in your life. Nothing will benefit you more than the time you spend alone with God, and therefore nothing should be allowed to intrude upon this time.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 