September 26. Barriers And Borders.

As leaders, where do we set barriers? Do we even need them? I think that we do but barriers are always a two-sided coin. A barrier can keep something out, but they also keep things in. Barriers can establish an expectation to stay within, but then it can also restrict creativity to within.

When we are producing a product with machinery, being within the limits of measurement to make the parts work together as designed is critical. But when working with our team, those barriers are more difficult to deploy. Measurements might actually help our teams to function if we can find the right measurements to use.

Some have even attributed the lack of measurements in a job role to a significant part of job misery. Can you think of three barriers that your team knows about? Where do you have barriers in place but do not have measurements to back them up? Perhaps this week we might focus on our borders.

Maybe they need to be stretched a little or maybe they need to be redrawn completely. Regardless of how we change the borders the measurements will need change to promote the borders effectiveness. What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we face the temptations of this world. Our new life in Christ removed many barriers. It placed in our life the measurement of love. How can we measure love though?

We read, "Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.” Jeremiah 5:22 NIV.

We know the measure to which Christ loves us, it was so much that he gave his life. God has placed the ultimate barriers of death to the side. Where might we have barriers in our lives that are not loving? Are we inviting an un-invitable personality to church? Are we loving people unlike us, especially if they seem unlovable?

Much like two countries that have border controls, we place barriers in our lives. Are we being as loving as our loving God calls us to be when we place barriers to love? How might we focus on moving the borders of our faith to love others? What can you do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Jesus, you have removed the barrier of death. Walk with us and guide us as we work on the barriers we live with. Remove the barriers to loving relationships in our families, cities and countries. Make our boundaries do more to spread love than to restrict it. May those that help us to grow our boundaries be blessed. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,