Simple Boundaries

The two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. Joshua 2:1

The old saying “There is strength in numbers” is a timeless truth, and it is well represented in the Bible.

The task of the spies Joshua sent out was strategic but risky when they stayed at the home of Rahab, a known prostitute. Their success was partially dependent on the repentant heart of the prostitute, but it was even more dependent on their accountability to one another. If one of the spies went into Rahab’s house, his reputation would be, at the very least, questioned. So they both went.

Much of the really significant work we do on earth today is also risky, simply because we live in a world full of sin and temptation. For that reason, we need to be careful to set solid boundaries. I learned that when a woman in our church asked me to counsel her. This woman looked like she could be my wife’s sister, so I wanted to send her to someone else for counseling. However, no one else was available.

I wanted to help this woman, but I wanted to do it safely. I told her, “If you can find three friends who will come with you to every meeting and hold you accountable to your homework, I will meet with you.”

I assumed I would not hear back from her, but three weeks later she called and said, “I have my three friends. When can we get started?”

As I counseled her, she got better faster than anyone I had previously counseled.

This story demonstrates two important facts about boundaries: First, they keep us safe from even the appearance of impropriety. Second, they can produce huge results.

Lord, help me set the kind of boundaries that enable me to safely and effectively live out your calling on my life.