As I sit at the dog park, I watch my dog as he plays with all of his dog friends. He will go to the water bowls and lay by them as he drinks from them, then he will splash around and get muddy in a matter of seconds. All the other puppy parents laugh and enjoy themselves as they watch my dog clearly enjoy himself. It's amazing how much happiness I feel when I see my dog in this state. There is so much freedom in this dog park. There is so much joy within this fence.
I reflect on the idea of the dog park and the fence that is placed on the perimeters, and it's obviously there for the best interest of the pups and the parents. There is another dog park 1/2 miles away, but people are slowly leaving it since the fence is so low and it considered a hazard for many pups. What would happen? Well, the worst could happen! The pups could run into a busy street, be taken by a stranger or completely run away in panic. The fence is there to protect. And within that fence there is freedom.
God has given us fences as well, but too often, we run out of the fence as soon as the gate opens because we think God is holding back from us. "There is better on the other side of that fence!" we often say, "why should I stay in here, when the world is out there!?"
Because God loves you.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17
This fence isn't placed around our life to condemn us when we cross it, or to hold us back from the good stuff, but to GUARD our hearts and SAVE our souls.
I forgive because Christ tells me to forgive. I am no longer bound by the grudges of the past wrong doers of my life. In this, I have found freedom.
I love because Christ tells me to love even when it isn't easy. I am free from those who do not love me because I understand God's love for me. In this, I have freedom.
I have joy in my heart because Christ tells me not to be angry. Anger never accomplishes anything and because I strive to obey Christ, I am not a slave to the time I have wasted being angry and bitter. In this, I have freedom.
God's fences are not here to condemn, but to set free.