Today, while I was working, something happened outside that I needed to take care of, and from that situation I drew this application.
I was working on my computer and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a goat walking past the window. I went outside and put it back in of course, but it may me think of this.
That goat has gotten out before, it has gotten out, and we have put it back in. She knows where she is supposed to be. She has food, water, and shelter, she has everything that she needs, she is taken care of, but she still gets out. She will go under fences, she will go over them, and she will go through them. We will fix the fence and even add onto it to keep her inside, yet still she gets out.
As I thought about this, I realized that sometimes, Christians are the same way. We know where we are supposed to be, we have food, water, and shelter, God provides for all of our needs, yet we still try to get out.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. - Phillipians 4:19
We do whatever it takes, we lie to ourselves, saying that what we are doing is not really wrong, among other things, but we still get out of where God wants us to be.
Most people use an electric fence to keep their goats in, if they try to get out, they may be shocked, which most assuredly hurts. Similarly when we try to do what God doesn't want us to, we face the pain that results. Jonah was in the belly of the great fish when he was trying to get away from God.
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. - Jonah 1:17
A fence though, is not only used to protect animals by keeping them in and away from hazards such as cars, fences also work to keep bad things out. Just as before it is the same with God. In these two verses we see that God protects us, but we have to choose to be protected.
The first verse says that all things work together for good, but it also says, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Not everything works for good for everyone, this verse clearly states that this applies only to those that love God, and are called to do His will.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28
We also have this next verse, which says, he that dwelleth in the secret place, he that dwelleth, that is a choice. We choose to dwell in the secret place.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. - Psalm 91:1
You may want to do something else, you may not want to be where He has you, but please remember, just as a fence for the goats, it is ultimately for your protection, and it is in your best interests to stay where God has you, and to do His will in your life.