i am the type of guy that really hates boundaries. as a kid, if there was an “off limits” sign posted, i would make it a challenge to prove it wrong. i remember as a teen, we would ignore the “danger” signs that were posted on electrical towers, and would try to climb those things. man that was stupid!!! as i have grown, i have realized that boundaries are essential in our lives to keep us focused.
one thing that will ensure boundaries are priorities. it is amazing to me the people that i have made contact with who do not have priorities set in their lives. and they wonder why their life is in such disarray. my priorities have always been this:
1. relationship with God
2. family
3. everything else
my relationship with God is just that. my personal connection to Him. my daily, personal time with Him. it is not and will never be my ministry. that does and will always be after my family. my family is the second most important part of my life. my relationship with my awesome wife is totally number one on the family list. my relationship with my hard headed boys is second to my wife. friends will come and go but family will be with you till the end. i do not want to have any regrets concerning my relationship with my family at the end of my life.
everything else falls below these 2 things. work, ministry, recreation business opportunities, and the list could go on and on. priorities set the boundaries of our life. the right order of priorities help make right decisions. in other words, you know what to say “no” to and you know what to say “yes” to. boundries keep the things out that are never suppose to enter in. just like the “danger” sign. it is there for protection. when God created this earth, he placed boundaries on the ocean. if the ocean ever exceeds its boundries, there would be massive flooding and major lose of life. the same is true, when we have no boundries in our life. things that were never suppose to be there, will come in and destroy something great. examples would be work or ministry invading our relationship with family. my boys could care less that i was someones, pastor…they want daddy. my wife wants her husband and i want my wife. boundaries…without that comes destruction in a family.
if you do not have priorities set…..stop what you are doing a set them. life will be a lot easier and your progress can then be measured on what you have accomplished.