They are currently in the top 3 of unnassigned Folk musicians.....:)
www.purevolume.com/FortheRabbits
So, I'll share a little more on this boundary thing today. You know in the story of the Good Samaritan how basically the guy helps the guy that's been beaten and robbed and takes him to an inn and pays for him to stay there a few days to heal up, right? He says he has business to take care of but when he comes back he will take care of any other expenses - and then he goes on his way. End of story. Well, let's change it up a bit....what if the injured guy gets upset because the business man is leaving? Tells him he's being selfish, uncaring, unChristian-like, not acting like Jesus, and is supposed to deny himself to help others. The business man thinks maybe he is being uncaring so he postpones his trip for a few days to stay with the injured guy making sure he is happy and content. Business guy gets a message in a couple days from his business contacts that says they gave the business to someone else cause they waited as long as they could. Now, the business man is mad and resentful at the injured man because he lost a deal.
www.purevolume.com/FortheRabbits
So, I'll share a little more on this boundary thing today. You know in the story of the Good Samaritan how basically the guy helps the guy that's been beaten and robbed and takes him to an inn and pays for him to stay there a few days to heal up, right? He says he has business to take care of but when he comes back he will take care of any other expenses - and then he goes on his way. End of story. Well, let's change it up a bit....what if the injured guy gets upset because the business man is leaving? Tells him he's being selfish, uncaring, unChristian-like, not acting like Jesus, and is supposed to deny himself to help others. The business man thinks maybe he is being uncaring so he postpones his trip for a few days to stay with the injured guy making sure he is happy and content. Business guy gets a message in a couple days from his business contacts that says they gave the business to someone else cause they waited as long as they could. Now, the business man is mad and resentful at the injured man because he lost a deal.
Sometimes we are moved by compassion to help someone, but then we are manipulated to give more than we want to give but we do it anyway and end up resentful and angry. Or maybe it's us who wants more from someone than they are willing to give and we want to pressure them so they will give in to us. This again, is where boundaries come in. What exactly are WE responsible for?
2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each on give as he has made up his own mind
and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully
or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver,
whose heart is in his giving."
Philemon 1:14 (Paul said) But is has been my wish to do nothing about it without first consulting you and getting your consent,in order that your benevolence might not seem to be the result of compulsion or of pressure,
but might be voluntary on your part.
John 12:43 (Jesus said) For they loved the approval and the praise and the glory that came from men instead of the glory that comes from God.
They valued their credit with men more than their credit with God.
Today, I'll give you a list of what falls in our boundaries and later will add more details.
Our Feelings, Attitudes and Beliefs,
Behaviors, Choices, Values, Limits,
Talents, Thoughts, Desires, and Love.
I have two thoughts on this.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I have been the person being pushed to give me. I no longer have warm fuzzy feelings toward the person (and no longer want to give anything!)
My second thought has to do with the church. Aren't we "pushing" others and taking advantage when we request more and push a person into serving where they aren't gifted or aren't feeling led to serve? Something to think about.
Barb, thanks for your comments! As for the first: I too have been put in that position, and am learning to deal with that and change the way I react to others to how I respond. My hope is that God can use me to help others dealing with the same issues.
ReplyDeleteOn the second, I totally agree. We need to be strong enough to say "No" when asked to do something that we aren't sensing God's leading, even in the church. What I think about that is the church is "run" by people and often times those people don't understand boundaries either. We have to get to where God is the One we please, not people....:)