Fences Fall, Grace Rises
the crazy truth of God's provision
Jennifer and I live in an old home, and we sometimes think about what was happening in the world when these nails were first driven into this wood. It was 1934. The Great Depression was gripping the global economy, and the Dust Bowl was devastating the Midwest and southern Great Plains. Franklin D. Roosevelt was early in his New Deal. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler was tightening his control over Germany, and Joseph Stalin was strengthening his grip on the Soviet Union. It was a tough year, for sure.
In the fullness of time, of course, we can see how events have unfolded since: triumphs and atrocities of World War II, the collapse of Nazism and the Soviet Union, the rise of the powerhouse U.S. economy, and so much else. And when we think of those things, we can’t help but imagine the life that has occurred within the walls of our home over those 90 years — all the love and redemption, pain and sorrow.
We and the previous owners have remodeled and added to the house a couple of times, and during the last round, we got a very small glimpse into a few of those life events. Upon opening the walls, we found crayon and chalk drawings from when a prior owner’s now-adult children were very small. Seeing what those small hands had scrawled so many years before was joyful.
Because of its age, the house has some other quirky characteristics beyond what we have found in the walls. For example, every fence with every neighbor is different. There are six-footers, four-footers, wood ones, and metal ones. The boundaries between the occupants of this home and our neighbors clearly came up gradually and haphazardly as our neighborhood grew and changed and aged.
Speaking of our neighbors, we love them. More than any other place we’ve lived, this little corner of our town has welcomed us into their lives with open arms. It’s a tight-knit group, most of whom have known each other for half a century or more, and they still host block parties, new-neighbor welcome parties, Fourth of July celebrations in the streets, and cozy Christmas parties. This past year, we were invited to a Swedish-themed Christmas gathering where we enjoyed a Scandinavian feast and then sang traditional Swedish songs and Christmas classics all night. It was the best.
Unfortunately, the other day, Jenn and I were drawn into a discussion with one of our neighbors over one of the property lines marked by one of those crazy fences. The fence in question has stood for over 70 years, covered with ivy, but was in a poor state. We agreed with the neighbor to share the cost of replacement. The issue arose when, once the fence was down, the neighbor wondered if our property line should actually be three feet closer to us and if we should surrender a chunk of our backyard to her.
When she first made the suggestion, it caught me off guard. I felt like we might be losing something precious. I wanted to protect the blessing of this home. I wanted to fight back. We love our home. We love that yard and the garden that occupies it.
But then I heard a faint whisper in my heart.
Our God is big and powerful — so big and so powerful, in fact, he created . . . everything (Col. 1:16). He sees everything and knows everything and can do anything (Isa. 55:9; Heb. 4:13; Eph. 3:20). And it’s always been so (Ps. 90:1-2).
“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty’” (Rev. 1:8).
But here’s the amazing part: despite his omnipotence and omniscience, he’s also what theologians call omnipresent and omnibenevolent. He is supremely loving, supernaturally present, and extraordinarily interested in our well-being. He cares about each of us (Matt. 10:29-31). He protects and helps us and never wavers, even to the point of his own death (Ps. 46:1, Matt. 6:30; John 3:16; 2 Thess. 3:3).
Why is he like that? I don’t know. But what I do know is that that is what he does. That is what he is like. It’s apparently why he created us — so that he could be like that for us. He created us, not only in his image and likeness, but such that he could be our father and we could become his children (John 1:12-13).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Eph. 1:3-6, ESV).
God makes us his actual sons and daughters. “Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are” (1 John 3:1, MSG). You’re his beloved child. I am, too. And we hold all the privilege and position of true children, for he loves each of us “in the same way” that he loves his begotten Son, Jesus (John 17:23, MSG).
But what does all of this have to do with a property line?
When I remember how my Father sees me, I remember that I never need to doubt the love and care of my fearsome and doting Father. I remember that all I ever need to do is learn how to receive what he gives, mourn quickly whatever he takes away, and look expectantly, in every moment, for the next gift of his presence and provision.
When I remember how my Father sees me, I remember that I already have everything I’ll ever need, and I become more of the man I am meant to be.
Julia Ubbenga wrote “Stressed Out by Stuff.”
Paul Prather wrote “Choose To Love Others And Live With Joy.”
Asheritah Ciuciu wrote “Fill Your Life With Wonder and Delight.”
Sample ➼ “Declutter Your Heart and Your Home” by Julia Ubbenga
Sample ➼ “Delighting in Jesus” by Asheritah Ciuciu
Encounter ➼ “Feel Me Moving Through You”
Audio Experience ➼ “Trade Comparison and Envy for Joy and Contentment”
Bible Reading Plan ➼ “30-Day Scripture Challenge”
We updated Rapt’s ‘Best of’ lists this week. Lots of new stuff!
Check out The King of Kings. In this new animated feature from Angel Studios, a father tells his son the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice.
Bill Mowry is the author of multiple books and a veteran Navigator staff member who helps churches build disciple-making cultures.
Lisa Bevere is a New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, minister, cancer survivor and cofounder of Messenger International.
Julia Ubbenga is an author and creator of the popular “Rich in What Matters” blog, helping readers reorder their lives around what matters most.
Faith Eury Cho is an author, speaker and ministry leader who co-founded and co-pastors Mosaic Covenant Church of New Jersey.
P.S. Who should we interview next? Click here to let us know. And what new question would you like us to ask them? Click here to submit your suggestion.
“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”
—Jeremiah Burroughs
Will you join me in a few moments in silence in a quiet place today? Will you ask your Father in Heaven where in your life, where in your heart, you might still think of yourself as an orphan rather than a cherished, cared-for son or daughter of the Most High God? Will you sit still and listen in your heart for a reply? Will you ask him to heal those places and father you into new ways of thinking and seeing yourself?
We’re in this together, my friend — and I am very grateful for that.
Editor-at-Large, Rapt Interviews & Loop for Women
Co-executive Director, Gather Ministries
If he asks for your cloak…
Provision beyond anything earthly.
I am thankful for all you write about and share from the heart. Your ministry impacts me regularly and frequently to strive to be a better father, husband, leader, man of of character and godliness, despite my flaws and imperfections. Keep it going, Justin and Gather Ministries!