Off the Edge

Guinea pigs are smart...most of the time. They are cave dwellers in the wild so they have developed a natural fear of edges. They learn quickly to live within their boundaries.

Every evening, I let mine romp on the couch for an hour or so as I watch a mystery on TV. He hops, skips, waddles, and chortles...but when he comes near the edge, he usually halts.

One night, I got up to get a drink of water and he "followed me" ― right off the edge. He cowered, too frightened to come to me. I scooped him up and held him until his tiny heartbeat settled.

He learned his lesson, though. The next night, when he got near the edge of the sofa, he squeaked and crawled onto my lap for security and comfort.

You see where this is headed, right? We all have boundaries. Our laws give us the freedom to move within the realms of society. God's commandments give us hedges of protection and guidance for behavior.

Sometimes we like to live on the edge, though. Perhaps we are tempted to ignore the rules and follow someone or something, even if it goes against our grain. And we fall.

Here’s the good news. God is there to pick us up. His lap is always available for one more person to crawl into for comfort. He is our security, our strength, and shelter. Always.

Praise God for the boundaries he sets, and for his boundless love.

Lord, thank you for sheltering me in your law and love. Help me live in the freedom of your boundaries and never be afraid to come to you for comfort when I stray. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Thank God for the boundaries he has given us through his commandments. Invite him to show you if there are any boundaries you are crossing as you go through the day, so you can quickly withdraw from any dangerous ledge.