Borders

Borders

Have you ever made a puzzle starting from the middle of the picture and making your way to the outside? Probably not your first choice of strategy. But, why? Why do we typically separate the edge pieces from the middle ones? Now, there may be times when you find middle pieces that fit together and you can begin to see part of the bigger picture as it was intended, but we usually don't start with the middle alone. Most people I have met always begin a puzzle by completing the borders first and then begin piecing together the rest of the picture. 

There is something strategic about this. Something about order, wholeness, clarity, safety; about needing a defined starting point, a finishing point, and a better vision of where the puzzle is taking us. Without the borders, the puzzle is incomplete. No borders means that the picture could keep on going (which in some cases can be exciting!); that the creator of the puzzle has free reign to roam outside of those otherwise intended borders and imagine a world beyond them. 

People are funny. We always talk about wanting to be set free, or being able to just do whatever we want, whenever we want. But then we get to a point in our lives where that opportunity arises and we usually end up creating our own boundaries or limits to define and clarify our lives. To keep ourselves safe, even if it's within the limits of our own subconscious. We'll say things like, "I'm going to stay up as long as I want, and no one can tell me I can't!" But then say stuff like "I would never steal, or lie, or cheat on a test because that would be wrong." 

Boundaries. 

Something about them makes us feel safe. They help us see the bigger picture. They help us define the areas in our lives that don't make much sense outside of them. Even when there are no definite borders to a picture, we still want to imagine where that picture is going...and where it stops. 

We put a lot of things in our lives in boxes; when we move, when we organize and store things, even our silverware is separated into bordered spaces. We often even put God in a box, because its difficult to comprehend Him without one (which is a good thing-to keep Him out of a little box- but that is a whole other blog!)

We yearn to have borders within our lives. 

Then, why, when God tells us that "hey, I want you to enjoy life, but here's a safety tip: don't get to close to the edge of that cliff you're walking next to, or you'll slip" we get all upset and end up turning away from him? But if we know that borders can help keep us safe, help us define or even help guide us to where we need to go, we turn away from the One sure thing that can create each one of those things? 

Maybe it's control. Pride. Ignorance. It could be a number of things, but don't deny the truth that lies within these borders. Don't deny the good that comes as a result of living within the borders that God has given us for our lives. They were created to exponentially enhance our lives! Not keep us from living a life an exciting life that the world promises. Because God's promises are so, stinkin much better! Totally and completely. When we stop fussing about the borders that God gives us,  we see how much life there is to live within the borders of His Word.

Life. 

And life to the fullest. 

John 10:10b

          "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"