Building Fences Then Leaving Them Behind

Proverbs 2:11 – Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (NIV)

The subject of fences was not always popular in our family. My husband was brought up on a fruit and vegetable farm where fences, in his opinion, were not necessary. When we moved into a subdivision early on in life, there were no fences.

As the community grew, and our children came along, the desire to protect the children brought with it the building of fences, much to my husband's distaste. The first one was a chain link fence. It kept the children and the dog from wandering off, and it didn't block the view. When we moved away, we left the fence behind.

We built our fences for security, to keep what was precious to us inside and intruders on the outside.

We can also build spiritual fences. Without realizing it, we often fence out the abundant life we should be enjoying, safe and secure in a relationship with our heavenly Father. Our spiritual growth should mean that we leave behind those fences we erected to "protect" us from God, when we thought He was an intruder. My husband was right: fences divide. Drawing closer to God and having Him dwell within us, we have no need for a fence, when we see Him as precious to us. What's more, He will provide us all the protection we need.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we grow spiritually, help us to leave behind anything that might keep us from a close relationship with You. Help us to seek you, to trust you, and to be obedient to you, so that nothing can come between us. Help us to leave the fences behind, knowing they are the obstacles in our past that have brought division in our lives. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.