Acts 16:7 NIV | “When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.”

When God made man and all the nations of the earth, by His word, He marked out the limits and the boundaries of their lives. (Acts 17:26) Here, the Lord would no let Paul them enter Bithynia to preach, even though we’re expected to ‘go into all the world and preach the good news’.

I had an experience that inspired this post. There was an issue that proved quite difficult to be resolved. The Reverend, at a point, told me to determine if it was a boundary or a barrier. A boundary is put by God to protect us. Kicking against it is like ‘kicking against the goads’. A barrier, on the other hand, keeps us from accessing God’s perfect will, but gives way, as we pray.

Like Paul witnessed, not every open door is ours to walk into. God puts some restrictions in our lives in the cause of our walk with Him, that like Samson’s hair, are there to protect us. They are like ‘the hedge that keeps the serpents from biting us.’ They are our connection to grace. Going beyond them disconnects us from grace, and makes us vulnerable. Receive grace to discern and respect the boundaries of God in your life.