EMBRACE THE BOUNDARIES
Carey Madding
Today’s Scripture: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10-11, ESV
Theme: Jesus did not come to take away your joy, but that it may be found eternally in Him.
STRICTER THAN STRICT
My parents were the strictest parents any of my friends had ever experienced. Cruising town on Friday night? Nope. “You need to have a destination and a planned activity.” Sleep overs at friends’ houses? Well, they basically had to pass a security clearance first. Go to another church with a girlfriend? Not happening. “You can try other churches after you leave home.” Sure, I got to go to prom, but “You better be up and ready for church tomorrow morning” was the last reminder before I left. My church friends thought it was too much; just horrible! My school friends thought I was a “goody two shoes” because I never went to parties, never tried alcohol or drugs, and never experienced “spin the bottle.”
On the other hand, the good news is I never went to wild, unsupervised parties or to places where I was exposed and introduced to alcohol and drugs. Though I desperately wanted to “spin the bottle” and kiss a boy, I missed a lot of emotional hurt, immature groping, or “worse” which took place at those parties. I was spared all of this because of my freakishly strict parents.
Would they have loved me if I disobeyed? Yes, they loved me even then. Sometimes, they disciplined me for the same reason—because they loved me. They loved me enough to set boundaries and enforce them. Boundaries and their consequences didn’t make me happy, but they did make some parts of adolescence less painful, easier, and lighter. As I look back, I can appreciate why they set those loving limits.
“MY BURDEN IS EASY”
Jesus said to come to Him, to take up our crosses daily, and follow. This sounds onerous. It sounds like work. It sounds like we might have to deprive ourselves, and that is true. However, He also says His burden is easy. His commandments are out of love; He has our best interest in mind. He wants us to live a full, abundant, joyful life, and then continue in that joy with Him for eternity.
God does want you to be happy, but He has put guardrails in place to give you the best possible chance at a good life. Will there be sorrows and trials? Yes. Will you have to work at choosing joy sometimes? Sure. Will following Jesus, rather than the worldly pleasures you are offered, cost you something? Probably so. Maybe you will miss the thrill or the high, but you will also miss the pain and regret of disappointing yourself, others, and Your Lord.
Will it be hard work to stay pure—or start living purely now? Yes, but the rewards are worth it. Will it be tough to stay in that marriage? Yes. All marriages take work, and all marriages are hard at some point. But God can heal and restore, or He wouldn’t ask us to keep working at our marriage relationship. It’s the same for our other relationships. Do the hard work of loving, forgiving, and reconnecting. Obedience leads to joy and the best life possible.
Make It Personal: I don’t know what you feel you will be “giving up” or “missing out on” when you choose Jesus. Or maybe it’s more daunting to decide to live in a way that honors Him. What I know is that all worldly pleasures have a cost. Whatever you do (or quit doing) to honor God will have both earthly and heavenly benefits. Lean into His guardrails. Instead of self-proclaimed New Year’s Resolutions, embrace the boundaries God has put in place with gratitude. They are for your good and lead to a clear conscious, abundant life, and eternal joy.
Pray: Father, I struggle to deny myself and live as You would have me live. Thank You for Your rules, Your boundaries, Your standards for my life. I know that by remaining within them, I have been spared much hurt and regret. Forgive me for the times I have gone my own way and ignored Your Word. Help me to hear, know, and follow where You lead. Help me to lay down my desires and pursue Yours so that You may be honored, and I will find eternal joy!
Read: Matthew 5:21-48; Luke 14:25-33; Matthew 11:29-30
Weekly Memory Verse: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10, ESV