Fences | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Fences | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gloria Pierre Dean
08/16/18
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With smiling eyes, Fido stands watch at our front gate. He is our family friend and watches out for our safety. He is a Labrador. He stays in our fenced yard. Because of him, some passersby keep their distance, while friends are gladly allowed in. We adopted him from the animal rescue because as a young pup he had been abandoned by his owner. Today he is no longer starved or diseased and his swirling swishing tail shows his delight with life and he delights us all.
He was rescued and reminds me of a sinner saved by grace, now dwelling in safety.
*"A glad heart makes a cheerful face,..." Proverbs 15: 13a NIV.
If Fido could talk I imagine he will say "In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety"
Psalms 4:8 ASV.
The change in Fido brings to mind the sense of belonging that many verbalise when they belong to a loving church family.
Fido's fences are secure and a spiritual definition may include factors that hold it up. These are praise and worship, the Word, The Blood of Jesus and The Holy Spirit.

Unlike our happy Fido, Dusty who lives next door is a barking riot. He is Alsatian. He seems to hear and respond to every noise in the neighbourhood. Night and day we hear him barking. His owner keeps him outdoors in all weather. He has a makeshift dog house which he regularly smashes. He is well fed by his master, but he augments his diet by catching wild game. The wooden fences of his home are not very secure, so he takes the opportunity to run riot in the village, creating havoc.
We know that what Dusty needs are a firm hand and strict boundaries. He is of a good breed but is shabby. He reminds me of a backslidden wild hearted son who is lost and seeks solace in making war.
The scripture that Dusty brings to mind was written by Solomon. It advocates early training of children if good results are desired. Using this wisdom, we may say that Dusty was not trained properly.
*Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 ESV
A spiritual understanding of the factors causing his insecure fences maybe past sins, doubt, fear and issues that provide access to the enemy.

Pip and Pipette are sister poodles and very cute. They are owned by the kindly widow Mrs Steele. They are kept indoors and rarely go outside except for trips to her verandah and to the vet. Their lives are ideal, happy and stress-free. She reads them stories and they curl up next to her on the leather sofa when she watches TV.
The poodles remind me of obedient children of God who are much loved and cared for and brings to mind the word from David* which relates that "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Highest will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Mrs Steele presents a human picture of the good shepherd. Here love is the fence.

In John*, Jesus describes himself as the only true and faithful shepherd of God’s people. "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.."

* Psalm 91 v1 NIV
* John 10:1-10

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