Walls or Fences

Recently, I was confronted by angry people, and by my emotions in response to their anger. It was not pretty, nor was it something prepared for. I reacted predictably, but not to what I would have liked. My flesh took over and it took a few minutes before my spirit had the upper hand and was able to seek out the higher way of seeing and dealing with what had happened.

Afterwards, I decided I needed to set up boundaries. But there are many kinds of boundaries. A line drawn in the sand may be seen as a boundary, but there is no real protection with that kind of boundary. Walls, either brick or stucco, are boundaries shutting off sight, clear sound, and physical connection. They make good protections against evil: against anyone who means to harm or tempt to do wrong. Walls are quick to build but difficult to break down. Walls are not meant to be set up without clear purpose. They are not to be used against people we are meant to love.

There are times that I want to build a wall against those who do not think or believe as I do. The wall is my statement that I am right and you are wrong. But, God, never built a wall like that! He is Perfectly good and therefore a wall comes between Him and evil in any form. God had a choice. He could build a permanent indestructible wall between sinful man and Himself, but He chose, instead, to build a fence.

A fence allows limited contact. God's fence was meant to have a gate. His gate was His Son, Jesus. Through Jesus we can come to God and be united to Him without any boundary! What a great and loving way to be restored.

It is with this in mind that I chose to put up a fence with those I had conflict. My fence limits contact, but keeps hope alive that someday we can find the gate that will help us come back together. With my fence, I can reach out over and over. I can communicate love and forgiveness. I can listen to their voices. My hope with the fence that I have set up, is that through my prayers I will see, hear, and touch hearts, and in touching their hearts I am able to again be united in love without any boundary.

A boundary may be necessary, but the kind of boundary must be built with wisdom and love, not fear or hate. Each wall or fence is also your signature that tells something about you.