Trust and Obey (by Cathe Laurie)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT).

The Importance of Boundaries

“Watch out!”

“Be careful!”

“Don’t touch that!”

. . . Sound familiar?

I couldn’t even count on all my fingers and toes how many times I have said one of those phrases to my kids and grandkids, sometimes in just an hour!

To the kids, these phrases can sound nagging, annoying, and controlling. But as parents, grandparents, or caretakers, we know—these phrases are meant to protect them.

When your child is running toward danger, you’ll do anything to stop them! When you know threats lurk, you set rules. When you see your kids heading towards hurt, you set boundaries.  

We aren’t trying to contain our children; we’re working to keep them safe.

God’s Boundaries 

Similarly, when God lays boundaries in place, He doesn’t do it to control, test, or annoy us. He does it to protect us.

We could look at the “rules” of the Bible and see what we lack. We can look at the lists of sin that God warns us about and throw a temper tantrum, shouting, “But I want that thing! That feels good! You’re just trying to take away my freedom!”  

. . . Does that sound familiar?

In that mindset, we’re just like toddlers or teenagers, thinking we know best. We want what we want in the moment and think that anyone trying to stop us is an enemy.

Are We Missing Out?

The truth is, God’s Word is built from love. And yes, sometimes fighting sin feels like fighting our very beings, because we are made from flesh and blood and are prone to temptation. But when God tells us no, it’s not because He’s withholding a good thing from us; it’s because He knows the harm it can cause!

Sin has natural consequences—physical, emotional, and spiritual—that God wants to prevent us from having to experience. Sometimes, we can see the harm that awaits us if we follow our own path. But sometimes, it doesn’t make sense. Imagine a child running toward the ocean. The water might seem calm, manageable. But what the child may not see is the strong current that runs beneath the surface that would take them far from the shore before they ever realize what’s happening.

Trusting God Knows Best

The Lord knows more than we ever will. And thankfully, He sent His Holy Spirit to guide us. As we spend more time with the Lord and learn His voice, we become more attuned to His lead. We set aside the sin that leads us astray and know that He’s calling us into a better life!

God wants the best for us! And as we nourish that thought in our hearts, let us move forward in peace, comfort, and gratitude, knowing He is guarding and guiding us the whole way.

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Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.