Yesterday, I was power washing a section of a white picket fence in preparation to give it a new coat of paint. The fence is a least 35 years old and was erected by the previous owner. When I pushed against the fence, it made a cracking sound. Upon investigation, I discovered the posts on a stand-alone section of the fence that borders our driveway was completely rotted. It toppled over with just a simple push. Jan and I picked up the rotted fence and removed it to dispose of later next week.

I thought of having to replace that section of the fence, but once it was gone, my opinion changed. The driveway area looks better and more open. I was surprised. When that rotted section of the fence was removed, I sensed its removal had a deeper meaning.

Some of you are living behind a self-imposed fence of restriction that no longer serves a purpose in your life. The prohibitions this fence represents have long expired like the lifespan of the wooden posts that held up the section of fence along our driveway. In faith, when you push against the boundary in your life the fence represents, you will see just how weak and decayed it has become. It will topple by a gentle touch of faith.

This expired boundary can represent what people think of you, how your past mistakes continue to define your life, or how you view the future through the slats of a misguided interpretation of your life. Just like it was when Jan and I removed the rotted section of the fence and saw how open and free our driveway area now looked, so it will be for you. There is no need to rebuild the rotted section of the fence. Its purpose has expired.