Out of the box

Everyone has them....dishes in a box, or a cabinet, or a cupboard. The special dishes we keep in a box for pulling out to look fancy. We keep them in a box, pull them out to show off or when we think the occasion is special enough.

I have some of these dishes. We did not register for china when we married. I really saw no need in having it. We went on a trip for our 2nd anniversary to a bed and breakfast. The china we used there I loved. It so happened that the outlet for the china manufacturer was nearby, so off we went. We bought our china.

When we moved to a different house, I bought a china hutch for it. To show it off. We have moved again, and I sold the dining room furniture. Now the china sits in special china protectors. No dust, no scratches, no breakage, but it is not being used. All because I have certain ideas about how it is to be used, or its purposes.

You know there is an odd analogy coming up.....and here it is....Do we treat God in the same way? God in a box.

We had an exciting week in our ladies' ministry at church. We started our Bible studies back after the holidays. We have experienced such growth in our church. My friend and I were blown away as almost 90 women joined us to study God's Word. We have a morning session with two studies and an evening session with two studies. It was a full day and I know we were praising God for bringing all these women to learn more about Him.

I remember the first time I sat in a in-depth Bible study. It was over ten years ago, and it was Beth Moore's A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place. I was struck by her love for God and His Word. I wanted that. I have it now. It was a growth process, as I learned to take God out of the box and be my constant companion, friend and Lord of my life. I often want to rush this experience for other women, but have learned that He will meet them where they are, just like He did me.

There are many boxes we put God in. There is the "Sunday only" box. We pull God out for church and "playing church" on Sunday, then put Him back in for the rest of our daily lives. There is the "Doesn't care" box. We think God only cares about our spiritual lives, and does not care what we read, what we watch, or what we wear. We pull him out to pray or read the Bible, then put Him back in. There is the "God can't" box. We keep God in the box, because we think He can't take care of this situation, whether it be a job loss, money issues, or a sin we won't let go of.

We think we can control God, when He cares, or when He works. We need to take Him out of the box. First, because He really is way too big to fit. We have made Him too small. Second, because we can't control how He works, what He sees, or where He is. Last, because we need Him. He is big enough, strong enough, powerful enough, everlasting, eternal, just, merciful, disciplining, loving, and just plain ENOUGH.

Go get that box. Dust it off. Take Him out. Let Him have control over your life. It will be much better than you could ever have dreamed.

"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37