Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Revelation, Boundaries, & Restraint


“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. " (Proverbs 29:18, KJV)

 
In baseball, there are two lines running from home base all the way to the fence that marks the end of the field.  One line runs from home base and passes just outside the first base, and the other runs from home base and passes just outside of third base.  Any ball hit in between those lines is a “fair ball” and the batter is to then run the bases with out being put out. Any ball that is outside of those two lines is called a ‘foul ball” and the batter is not to run the bases yet.

The lines give the players some parameters in which to play, some guidelines as it were. When you add the rules for playing baseball to this, the game proceeds fairly smoothly.  For the most part the game is played within the parameters that have been marked out by the aforementioned lines that separate fair from foul.

In football there is a big rectangular box that outlines the playing field, clearly defining the limits within which the game is to be played. Outside the lines you are either out of bounds or out of the end zone. You must play within the box.  Every sport has clearly defined boundaries and a set of rules by which you must play.  Otherwise there would be complete chaos.

If I was going to write the above verse for baseball, it would look something like the following. Where baseball is played without clearly defined boundaries and without a rule book, the players are unrestrained and do whatever they want to causing confusion, frustration, and altercations: the players however who play within the boundaries and keep the rules have a much greater potential of having fun, enjoying the game, and accomplishing something specific.

I am pretty sure we are starting to get a better understanding of this verse (Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.)

I have more to say about this but will save it for the next post. For now, I will finish with sports. Sports have to be played within the established boundaries, (between the lines), and must be played (guided) by the rule book, just as we Christians must live within the boundaries clearly established by Scripture, with them as our guide.

When there’s no vision, the people get out of control, but whoever obeys instruction is happy. (Proverbs 29:18, CEB)

4 comments:

Romelle said...

There is so much to be said on the topic of boundaries. Looking forward to your take on it all.

Jim said...

Thank you Romelle, it is a good & relevant subject. Please feel free to weigh in on it.

Blurbs by Brenda said...

I love that verse....When there’s no vision, the people get out of control, but whoever obeys instruction is happy. (Proverbs 29:18, CEB). As I think about sports today.....I have seen many scenes where players, or spectators are out of control.

Jim said...

That is a great verse Brenda. As far as out of control goes, I would say on and off the field. If we don't stay within our realm of authority & conduct ourselves in accordance with governing stipulations we will end up outside of safe boundaries.