Guardrails

Drivers pass them daily, giving little thought to their presence; nonetheless, guardrails are placed strategically for drivers’ protection: perhaps because of a deep ravine or a lake or river – guardrails serve a specific purpose.  Likewise, Christians should wisely consider spiritual guardrails to safeguard personal holiness.  Personally, I desperately need calculated parameters to restrict my wandering heart.  As a couple and as parents, Mr. Bill and I [long ago] established some guidelines by which we would make decisions.  At times and to some people, these rules seemed unrealistic and impractical, but the steering concept came from Scripture: “come out from among them and be ye separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:17).  The short and simple – don’t live by the world’s standards – be different according to God’s precepts.  I love how the prophet Jeremiah puts it:  “I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers.” (Jeremiah 15:17).  Sometimes we notice guardrails along the road are scarred from one who came too close or the guardrail broken where a vehicle did not heed the warning.  Spiritual guardrails seem unnecessary and of little consequence to those who aren’t following God’s directive, “be ye holy for I am holy.”  (Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16).  Eighteenth Century hymn writer, Robert Robinson penned these powerful words of truth: “Let Thy grace, Lord, like a fetter bind my wand’ring heart to Thee … Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it – Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it – Seal it for Thy courts above.”  Don’t you see?  We need spiritual guardrails!  Do you have any?  If not, prayerfully consider creating some practical ways to keep your heart safe and make steer your heart toward holiness.