Boundaries

Reading: 1 Samuel 8-10; 2 Corinthians 10 But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you. (2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT) Paul explained to the Corinthians that he knew God’s plan for his ministry had boundaries. Paul knew that he wasn’t called to do everything or go everywhere, but he was called to serve the church at Corinth with teaching, encouragement, and even with correction if needed. I know God has set boundaries for me, for you, for each of us. None of us is called to go everywhere and do everything. Each of us is called to be somewhere and do something! God’s plan for me includes everything he has called me to do, everything he has purposed for my life and ministry, every place he purposes me to go, every person he wants me to meet and serve. God’s plan for me excludes everything outside the boundaries he has set for me. The theory of self-actualization says, “You can be anything you want to be!” The truth of God’s Word says, “You can be anything God wants you to be!”

I need to know my God-set boundaries so that I can fill them up in the time God has given me. I need to know my God-set boundaries so I won’t waste time and energy doing something I’m not called to do. I need to know my God-set boundaries so I won’t try to do what God has called someone else to do. I need to know my God-set boundaries so I can work diligently on those things God has assigned me. Within those boundaries I will find some satisfaction and fulfillment in learning to do a few things well, and I can leave the rest of it to Almighty God, King of the Universe, to assign as he sees fit! Prayer:

Father, I ask for the faith and wisdom and energy to fully explore the boundaries you have set for my life and ministry. I want to fill my boundaries, and I want to stay within them and not wander into someone else’s boundaries or try to do something you haven’t called me to do. Help me to know my place in your plan and my assignment in your Kingdom, and not be distracted by others’ opinions or my own selfish ambitions. When I am done, I want to have done what you wanted me to do, where you wanted me to do it, with those you wanted me to do it with! Amen.