[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during June 2021]
We can think of fences in many different ways, both physically and metaphorically. In psalm 62 David describes himself as ‘a tottering fence’; he feels that his enemies are attacking him, hoping to exploit his insecurity and bring him down. Nevertheless, David can look to God who has provided a firm foundation and will uphold him.
In physical terms, fences represent a demarcation, a dividing line between two conditions: essentially, you are either inside or outside. A popular American song included the words “Don’t fence me in”; in Australia a fence 3,500 miles long was built to keep the dingoes out. We use fences to protect people or things that we value from those that we distrust.
In Anglophone societies there is a third state: ‘sitting on the fence’ carries a metaphorical message rather than just a description of a physical location. How do you react when you hear the expression?
Perhaps it has a positive connotation of being open-minded, able to see both sides of an argument. It offers an opportunity to be distinct from the monotony of the unthinking masses. Sitting on the fence offers a vantage point from where one can see whether the grass on the other side is actually greener – or the worms juicier.
Or is your reaction a negative one, associating the phrase with the reluctance to make a decision, insecurity and a lack of consistency? Are you firm in your opinions and secretly hope that the fence sitter will be returned to earth with a degree of abruptness? Perhaps you worry that you might, yourself, be sitting on the fence but you are not sure?
After the Israelites had moved into the promised land they started to forsake the worship of the God who had given it to them. Joshua told them to make up their minds, one way or the other.
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
[Joshua 24 v15 NIVUK]
Later, during the reign of king Ahab, the people were again led astray. This was brought to a head at the showdown on Mount Carmel.
Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people said nothing.
[1 Kings 18 v21 NIVUK]
In Matthew 25 we read of another demarcation, that between goats and sheep. I have always had a certain degree of sympathy for the goats – they were born that way and no amount of bleating will change a kid into a lamb. By contrast, this is a metaphorical grouping based on our relationship with Jesus Christ. Towards the end of his conversation with Nicodemus Jesus spoke of the ultimate demarcation:
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
[John 3 v18 NIVUK]
You cannot sit on the fence for ever.
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
This is true, the trouble is I find it difficult to discern the side I should move to. Much prayer is needed!
Thanks for this reflection Steve.
Thanks Clive, you have identified the best source of help when making decisions, but it is often the one that we turn to as a last resort.