Boundaries: When We Play God

@JeanneTakenaka +Jeanne Takenaka

I’m sure our city officials had a good reason for changing the way red lights and turning arrows operate here. Where once yellow arrows for left-hand turns gave drivers extra time to turn, now arrows turn to red . . . and drivers know they’ll be waiting instead.

In a world where everyone is in a big, fat hurry, a red light can be a major frustration. I’ve watched cars fly through the intersection once that turn arrow flips to red. They don’t want to wait another two-three minutes for a chance to speed on their way.

I admit, I’ve found alternate ways to get through those intersections. I think they’re legal.

I’ve also noticed more accidents on busy streets near our house. I’m not saying there is a direct correlation between the change in the turn arrow and the accidents, but I do wonder . . .

After a blogging friend shared a story about red lights, it got me thinking about our culture. For years, we have sped along, running through the warning lights God placed on our path.

Things once considered wrong are now accepted. Behaviors once disciplined are now ignored.

Television shows.

Radio commentaries.

Books.

Movies.

Social Media.

All of these reflect examples of how we, as a culture, have run the red.

People have busted past boundaries once considered sacred and right.

God places red lights because He cares for us. He has told us some things are wrong, because He knows they will decimate our spirits, much like one car blasting into another when it doesn’t heed the red.

When we ignore the warnings God gives us, we’re saying a few things . . .

We don’t place value on what God says is true.

We are god of our own lives. We know better than the One who created us.

We don’t care about our spirits. We want what we want, when we want it. Because that’s all there is to it.

When we live our lives as though we are God, we end up wounded—physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. When we ignore the warnings God gives us, we reject His love for us.

The Lord doesn’t place red lights in our lives because He wants to make our lives hard. He puts them there so we can stop and think before rejecting Him. Which will lead to a harder life.

God loves us. He knows what will injure us if we run into them. God’s red lights are protection for us. We need to stop. 

To reflect.

God knows the enemy who aims to destroy us. The enemy of our souls switches red lights to green in our thoughts. Through temptations, arguments, through the external influencers in our culture.

God will never force us to do things His way. That’s not how He rolls. He wants us to choose Him. To want relationship with Him.

As Creator of the universe, He also knows the rules and boundaries, and He will uphold the standards.

When we stop at the red lights in our days, our thoughts, our hearts . . .

When we consider the decisions we’re about to make…

we have the opportunity to turn toward Him.

God honors obedience. He turns His face to those who seek Him. And the fellowship is intimate.

The question is, are we going to stop at the red lights He places in our lives, or are we going to ignore them in pursuit of something lesser?

What about you? What boundaries has God placed in your life that have enabled you to have a deeper relationship with Him? How do you talk to those around you about God’s ways?

Click to Tweet: God doesn’t place red lights in our lives because He wants to make our lives hard

I’m linking up with #RaRaLinkup, Jennifer Dukes Lee, and Holley Gerth