No Trespassing!

No trespassing signs come in all sizes, shapes and messages. They are posted on public and private property. They are placed on large buildings and small alike. Businesses post no trespassing signs and so do home owners. A peaceful drive in the country will allow one to see no trespassing signs placed on the gate of a nursery, a farm or even an empty lot.

The purpose of these no trespassing signs is to keep unauthorized people from entering the premises the sign is guarding. Authorized personnel are passionate enough about keeping others out of their space. Keep out! Go away! Don’t even think about entering! These are sentiments that coincide with the no trespassing sign. One sign I saw read, “Violators will be shot! Survivors will be shot again!”

Initially, the posted sign worked. Then it didn’t. So, alarm companies sprang up and security guards hired to insure people stayed away.

People even have “No Trespassing” signs placed on their self. The look in the eye, the tone of voice, the stance taken, all help us to know it may be healthier to back off and talk about the weather.

There are three entities that people hold up the no trespassing sign for. First, they impose it on their self. King David, in his psalm of repentance, let us know that God wants us to be honest with ourselves. This is not an easy task. There are places within us that we don’t want to go. However, ignoring these places or pretending they don’t exist does not change reality. Be honest with yourself. Open every door. Get help if needed. Let God heal.

Secondly, people hold up their no trespassing sign for other people in their life. This is disastrous for relationships. The more open you are and the more you communicate on every level with your spouse, the smoother your relationship will be. The more closed up you are the wider the divide will be. Trust evaporates. Friendship crumbles. The longer this continues the harder it is to remedy. As a previous US president said, “Take down this wall!” In this case, get rid of the sign. Be honest with your spouse. Again, open every door. Get help if needed. Let God heal.

Lastly, people hold up their no trespassing sign to God. Most would not admit this. We certainly wouldn’t let on to others what we are doing. Many may not recognize they do this. However, when we refuse to respond to God’s presence, we are saying “No trespassing.” When we refuse to respond to God’s Word we are saying, “Back off.” When He knocks at our heart’s door and we refuse to open up to Him, we are letting Him know we wish Him to go away. Still again, it’s in our best interest to open every door. Get help if needed. Let God heal.

Any one of these can be disastrous. Typically though, if one sign is posted, the other two will follow.

To keep this from happening to you, place some people in your life you will be accountable to. Allow them to trespass and go where you may be uncomfortable with them going. Give them authorized access. There is safety in this.

Take down the “No Trespassing” sign and replace it with a sign that reads, “Trespassing Allowed!” Give this sign to yourself, to your spouse, to Jesus Christ, and to the authorized few.

Believe me. You will be glad you did!