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Have you ever really considered the job of a fence? A fence is used to not only keep things in, but it is also used to keep things out. Over the weekend we were working on building a fence on our little farm. It has raised a lot of questions from family, friends and neighbors as to what we are getting to go in the fence. It never occurred to me that Dennis and I are so unpredictable that people would have to question what crazy idea we were coming up with next! As we were working on the H-braces as a family on Sunday, it made me really think about the fences we build in our own life.

Do you truly take the time to ensure those posts are straight, the wire is pulled tight and that through the storms it will remain sturdy? I listened to a sermon last week that reminded me of the true test in our faith – the sturdiness can only be tested through the storm. The fences we create to thwart the enemy, keep others at a distance and protect our family that resides inside are imperative in this journey to the Cross. I have caught myself more in the last two years emphasizing the importance of boundaries to others as I myself have had to stake out those lines in my life. Rest assured we aren’t getting zebras and giraffes on the farm (although there are some that would not put it passed us), but we are getting new life that brings joy. When you look in your fence do you see a zoo (chaos) or peace?

Maybe you are reading this and thinking to yourself that you don’t even know what side of that metaphorical fence you are on. As believers it is easy to become fence sitters – not knowing which way to jump in a world where good is bad and bad is made good. One choice to follow the world often leads to one more small choice and before you know it, you have wandered into the vast openness giving the enemy every opportunity to creep up. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because you art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I would spue thee out of my mouth.”  Revelation 3:15-16.

Dig your post, secure them deep in the ground and stand strong on your faith. When the world tries to tempt you to jump the fence for the day, remember the work you put into securing the spiritual well-being of not only yourself but for those around you. Your small decisions can lead to your whole family – a whole generation- to a future with no boundaries or guidance. I can assure you that your children and grandchildren deserve your obedience to maintaining the hedge of protection in all the storms that will inevitably come. How do we maintain the fence? Stay in God’s word friend.

Unfortunately, we haven’t seen anything yet and there’s more to come that will require a steadfast and sturdy ol’ wooden barrier. The Bible is your tool kit which has everything you need to mend the holes that come with the storms and fortify the post when they become lose. I would encourage you this week to truly pray that hedge of protection around your family by digging into God’s word. Building a boundary of faith doesn’t come quickly – it takes a little bit of digging every day until you close the gaps between the world and our Heavenly Father. Don’t sit, friend.

“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah” Psalm 32:7.

Blessings

Kayla