Boundary

“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.” – Psalm 16:5-6

For some of us, the boundary lines of the world fall in pleasant places.  We sit in the midst of our domains, scanning their acreage.  We can’t even see the edges of our territory, our lots are so big.  Who cares what color the grass is on the other side of the fence?  We have all we need right here, and we can walk for days without leaving the space we’ve been granted.

Others of us receive smaller lots from the world.  Some receive so little it’s not even enough space for our bodies to occupy.  Some can’t take a single step, or occupy a bathroom stall, without being called transgressors.

Where are the boundaries of the space the world has handed you?  What is the size of the estate you’ve inherited, by virtue of your sex, your skin, your gender, your nationality, the kind of body you have?  How far are you allowed to go before somebody with power yells, “Halt!”?  Is it far enough?  Is it enough space to hold, to maintain, your life?

There’s the lot the world gives, and then there’s the lot that God gives.  There are the boundaries the world sets, and then there are the boundaries that God sets.  Rarely are they drawn in the same place.

So today, look around at the space the world has granted you.  Do you have enough room to maneuver?  To live?  To thrive?  If not, then the boundaries that hem you in were not set by God.  And it may just be time to jump a fence or two.

Prayer

God of great inheritances, let me claim the space you’ve promised me—and no more.  Amen.

About the Author
Quinn G. Caldwell is the Pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church, Syracuse, New York.  His most recent book is a series of daily reflections for Advent and Christmas called All I Really Want: Readings for a Modern Christmas. Learn more about it and find him on Facebook at Quinn G. Caldwell.