Gated Community

By Kathy Carlton Willis

Yesterday the gates went up. Temporary walls providing safety and barriers. This was not a great divide between two nations. We installed baby gates to block off the guest bedroom and the family room, two areas where our almost 10-year-old calico, Libby, hangs out. Why? Because our 3-month-old Boston Terrier has learned to permeate the smaller barriers we previously used. So, we brought out the big guns. These gates will also help us house-train Jazzy.

It has been interesting to watch the behavior of our two pets since the installation of the dividers. Libby acts more confident and seems to be rubbing it in the face of her housemate Jazzy. Now that Libby has secure areas she sits like a queen on her favorite pillow, taunting the puppy spying from the other side of the gate. Jazzy is making new habits and enjoys the times Libby comes to the great room for some interaction.

In biblical times, whole cities were contained within a wall of protection, with only a gated entrance to come and go. Citizens of gated communities felt secure and safe, like my Libby cat. Hedges were used as barriers between neighbors. Job had a hedge of protection around him, placed there by God. We should pray for God to put a hedge around us as well. There is more we can do, in our defensive plan.

Before we put up the baby gates, there was no sense of discipline and order in our house. Proverbs is warning believers that without discipline, a life has no order. This leaves that life open for attack from within and from without.

Walls are not always divisive. Sometimes they are there for protection and discipline. A person with boundaries has self-control (empowered by the Holy Spirit) to be victorious over anger, lust, greed, and other emotions; emotions that can get out of control without discipline. These kinds of walls are for our good. Just as a walled city is good defense against enemies, a disciplined Christian can fight against the enemies of destruction.

PRAYER: Father of protection and peace, place a wall around me to keep me safe from hidden dangers and strengthen me to withstand whatever might tempt or harm me. Help me learn that boundaries are for my good.

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls,” Proverbs 25:28 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Kathy Carlton Willis, wife to Russ, pastor’s wife to many, author, editor, publicist, and speaker. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions.  Learn more about how she desires to “Shine the Light on Him and His” at: http://kcwcomm.blogspot.com/ or http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/.