Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff, with the most amazing natural beauty you have ever seen: rolling valleys full of luscious green Australian bush, a waterfall running down the rocky cliff and a flowing river down below.

Sounds beautiful, right? But imagine there is this fence keeping you back from the edge and stopping you from really getting a good look. If I just step over the fence for only a minute, I would be able to see the waterfall a little bit better…

Do you feel fenced in by your parents' rules and by God's laws? Do you want to jump the fence and go play out in that big wide world—to go have some "fun," just for a bit? Do you want to take a small step over the fence on the edge of the cliff to get a better view of the gorgeous scenery?

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are trying to do the right thing, but sometimes life just seems so restricting that it feels like we are stuck inside this fenced-in section with all of God's rules, while all that "fun stuff" is happening out there over the fence.

Well, it's just the opposite!

God does have fences—but not in the way we sometimes feel. God has given us choice and freedom and doesn't restrict us by putting up a fence around the way He wants us to go.

He has given us life and freedoms in this big wide world. What He has done, though, is put up fences around some dangerous areas that are wrong, hurtful and destructive for us. He clearly shows us through His Word what isn't constructive to living a good and happy life.

We need to learn to identify the fenced-off areas that God has set up to protect us. God lets us see what is inside those areas, but He has built for us good fences—His laws—to show us which direction we should go.

God isn't harsh. He wants us to know what is out there, and gives us the tools to recognize those areas of concern. He doesn't stop us from making our own decisions.

So what happens if you make a mistake and go into a fenced-off area, then realize that it was a wrong decision? Don't worry—God is good. At the price of Jesus Christ's life, He built a gate for you to open and get back out! God promises to forgive us, when we walk back through that gate and repent.

So, how would I summarize this in 30 words or less?

• Know that God has put fences up around dangerous areas of life, not to limit us, but to protect us.

• Recognize those fences by studying His guide—the Bible.

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Living God's way of life isn't restrictive. It's about making the right choices and living a wonderful, happy, carefree life. Just don't step over that fence on the edge of the cliff—the fence is there for a reason! VT