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More Comments on Boundaries |
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Written by Wilma Zalabak, M.Div.
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Tuesday, 06 July 2010 14:52 |
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Here are some more articles on boundaries found on my other website http://listenary.com
"Boundaries: Say No, Say Yes"
"Selfishness: What Does It Mean?"
"Learn to Love the Word No"
"Unselfishness: What Is It?"
"Puzzling Out the Golden Rule"
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 July 2010 15:03 |
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Galatians 6:7: Sowing and Reaping Boundaries |
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Written by Wilma Zalabak, M.Div.
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Monday, 05 July 2010 16:14 |
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A good boundaries passage: Whatever you sow is what you will reap. Whatever you plant you will harvest. It reminds me of God saying seedtime and harvest will remain and continue as long as earth remains (Genesis 8:22).
"Whatever."
You plant radishes, you don't get apples. You plant wheat, you don't harvest grapes. You plant drug use, you don't get to say you never touched the stuff. You plant violence, you get violence (Revelation 13:10). You plant kindness, . . .
Well, yes, the devil got in there somewhere and made some weeds grow up where some of our kindness should have brought us more kindness, but that's to be expected while here on earth. Even so, God has promised that so long as the earth remains, the law of seedtime and harvest will also remain.
"Whatever You."
You plant regular tardiness, you harvest poor grades or evalutation. Your pastor doesn't reap your low marks; you do. You sow wise investments, you reap multiplied resources. You wouldn't want your gardener to reap your benefits, now would you.
Yes, some humans like to soften the fall for others, take the rap, carry the blame and shame for harvests they didn't plant. I believe the devil likes to confuse this sow-and-reap law. Sometimes it's hard to figure out what belongs to whom. Satan is the author of this kind of confusion.
"Whatever You Sow."
You can sow and plant in places other than the ground. I sow and plant every day everywhere in my world, in friends, in projects, in the mail, online, by telephone, . . .
However, I think the most important place I sow and plant is in my mind, and I do that every moment. I want to notice more often whether I'm sowing faith or doubt, . . .
. . . joy or envy, . . .
. . . love or hate.
Whatever I sow, that is what I will reap. |
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Last Updated on Monday, 05 July 2010 19:29 |
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2 Corinthians 9:6-7: God As Source |
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Written by Wilma Zalabak, M.Div.
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Monday, 05 July 2010 19:13 |
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Whatever you sow, that is what you will reap (see Galatians 6:7).
It's a good boundaries principle, showing that the one who sows is the one who should also reap.
It's also a good "God is Source" principle, teaching from nature that only God can supply the harvest. I can plant the seeds, but I can't make them grow. That is a miracle produced by the Creator, the God of all nature. In the same way I cannot produce fruit of my efforts to meet my own needs. It is a miracle.
Paul wrote in another place also about this principle. "Whoever sows sparingly will reap also sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will reap also bountifully. So, give according to the purposes in your own heart, not out of fear or obligation. Do this because God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Here are some conclusions I can now make regarding the sowing and reaping principle:
- I should pay attention to what I plant, because my harvest will be the same thing.
- I should pay attention to how much I plant, because my harvest will reflect the generosity with which I planted.
- I should pay attention to how I feel when I plant, not fear or obligation, resentment or duty, but cheerfulness and freedom, because God loves and therefore gives to a cheerful giver.
- After I plant, I should pay attention to the Source, by my thoughts and words, because cultivating the soil is all I can do to help the seed grow.
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Last Updated on Monday, 05 July 2010 19:29 |
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Luke 14:28-32: Count the Cost of Boundaries |
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Written by Wilma Zalabak, M.Div.
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Monday, 05 July 2010 16:10 |
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Whenever I read Luke 14:28-32 in the past, about sitting down to count the cost before building a tower or going to war, I pictured myself doing battle for the Lord. Whatever project I was contemplating for the Lord, I should plan well.
I read it differently now.
A tower can be seen as a lookout for the protection of important valuables. It is not an aggressive building but a protective structure. It defines what is mine and what is not mine.
The war pictured here is a protective war, check it out. In verse 32, the other is "a great way off" "coming against" the one admonished. The other is the aggressor and counting the cost is for protection.
Yes, my boundaries will cost me. They will cost me grief, changes, new feelings, and loss of old structures. I need to evaluate whether I have the resources, and how I can get the resources to make my boundaries successful.
One of the resources new boundary setters need is a support group. |
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Last Updated on Monday, 05 July 2010 19:29 |
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Boundaries