That was the theme the church chose for the February 12, 2023 service. Goal posts on both sides of the pulpit, referee striped shirts worn by all ushers, a corn-hole toss for prizes . . . all before the message which included several scriptural references and can best be described as scattered.

But along the way to its many culminations there was an illustration involving a school house to which its elementary students clung during lunch and recess, not venturing more that 10 feet from its walls. One day a work-crew came out and erected a 10-foot-high chain-link fence around the back and sides of the school that extended 50 yards out from the school walls. A reasonable portion of the front of the school was left      unfenced for entry.

The fence marked the limits to which the students could disperse while at school. Amazingly students no longer clung to the walls of the school but explored the vastness of the school yard. The children were oblivious to the fact that the fence both kept out the unwanted but also kept them within.

It kept them safe within while revealing new surroundings to be explored. If fear or timidness had existed in the absence of the fence the day before, only the desire to explore existed now.

In years to come a 10-foot high fence would offer little resistance to 18 year olds. But by then the 18-year olds would have learned the value of boundaries. Some will have chosen to ignore them. Others will have welcomed those same boundaries and prospered ever so slightly but steadily, and prepared themselves for greater things.

Galatians 3:24-25 (KJV) 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Matthew 25:23 (KJV) 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

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