How important is it to know your boundaries?

In my family, I’m famous for going one step too far. For example, when I barbecue a steak, instead of taking it off the grill when the juice runs clear as the experts say, something in me says, “just a few more minutes.’ It’s within those few extra minutes - I go too far. My once perfectly tender fillet has now become a slab of rubber. Another example, would be parking. Once while backing into a parking spot, I noticed a pole. I backed in slowly and instead leaving enough room as all the good driving manuals had taught me, I gave in to that little voice that said, “just a little bit farther.” The loud crackling noise of my tail light smashing into a pole was a clear sign that I had gone too far. My most recent example of this “too far” syndrome I struggle with happened a days ago. I wanted to try waxing my eyebrows for the first time, as if plucking them wasn’t painful enough. I followed the instructions, heated the wax, smoothed it under my eyebrow and then yanked! It didn’t’ hurt too much really. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, “Hey good job,” but then…. That little voice came back - mind you it was not the voice of the Holy Spirit. The voice said, “just one more time.” There was no reason for it, I just had to do it – I had to go one step too far. As I carefully re-applied the hot wax somehow, with no explanation for it, my hand slipped causing the wax to cover almost my entire eyebrow. Now if you know anything about the whole hot wax experience, then you know that whatever hair the wax touches is coming off. Removing it gently did not change the inevitable. Once the wax came off, so did half of my eyebrow; the consequence of going on step too far. God loves to use these types of illustrations to teach us about ourselves – to remind us the importance of doing only what He has called us to do.

Thankfully King David understood this concept. In Second Samuel, chapter seven, King David had a pure-hearted desire to please God by building a palace in which God could dwell. However, God made it known that though He had called David to be King, He had not called him to build a palace. That honor was set aside for King David’s son Solomon. King David could have gone one step too far, listening to that little voice that might have said, “go on do it…it’s all for God anyway” and began building. Instead, he recalled the lessons he had learned long ago. Going one step too far had consequences. (2 Samuel 24:1:3) In his wisdom, King David graciously accepted the boundary God had set and instead of going one step too far, he stepped aside in order that his son could build the palace.

Think about what God has asked you to do at this time in your life. Possibly He has asked you to speak, teach, build, sing, cook, or dance. Perhaps, He has even asked you to do the most challenging thing of all - to wait. Whatever it is, know your boundaries. Recognize what God has called you to do and pay close attention that in your good intentions, you don’t go one step too far. God assures us that His favor and grace is upon us and upon the specific thing He has called us to do. Even though it may be a “God thing, “ taking God’s plan for your life one step too far will bring consequences. Who knows, if your not careful, you may even find yourself walking around town with only half of an eyebrow.