My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled. – Psalm 17:5

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways. – Proverbs 4:26

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Setting boundaries can be a tough job.  We are wanderers by default when it comes to doing what we are told.  We struggle to have our own way from the moment we are born. (Some moms I know think the struggle begins in the womb).  As we grow older, we learn about the boundaries and that there are consequences when we push at them or cross over them.  No matter what area of our lives we may discuss, there are always issues on boundaries.  They are a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean we do well with them.

It is clear from the passages above that God knows our propensity for boundary busting.  He has given us clear boundaries, spelled out in the lives of His people, in His decrees, in the life of His Son.  We need to watch our step.

If you search the internet with the phrase “died after falling off a ladder” you may be surprised how many results you get.  Sadly it is a common enough occurrence that it has its own line in the report on accidental death statistics.  I don’t know how many of those are caused by people ignoring clearly defined boundaries: THIS IS NOT A STEP.  There are clear signs on many things in this life that God has put there for good reason – God wants to keep us safe.

I have been foolish enough to use the non-step on a ladder before, but was never injured.  I could take that as a reason to keep on doing it, or I could take it as God’s grace and mercy sparing me and giving me another chance. I choose the latter (pun intended). I need to pay attention to those signs that God has posted.  They are there for my protection and every time I push the limits, I am closer to a fall.

Lord, help me to see, read and obey the signs You have given to us to live holy lives.  Give me the discipline to live within the boundaries You have set.  May I have ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart and mind to obey.  Amen.