Thinking Outside the Box

Remember jack-in-the-box? Sometimes "jack" was a clown, or Snoopy, or another popular character. They may have had a different tune, but the one I'm thinking of is *POP* goes the weasel. One would s-l-o-w-l-y turn the handle, listening to the music, knowing that the *POP* would come. UP Jack would pop, we'd laugh (especially if playing with an unsuspecting child!....I know, MEAN!), then "jack" would be tucked back in the box, cover closed, to do it all over again.

I've been thinking how often I have treated God like my own personal jack-in-the-box. The box sits on a shelf until I'm ready to use it. Every couple of days or when something goes wrong, whichever comes first....I pull down the box. I turn the crank.....I read the Bible, I sing a praise song, I listen to Christian radio, I pray....*POP* I am pleasantly surprised God shows up to meet my need. Then I conveniently (for me) push God back in the box, cover closed, to do it all over again.

Sometimes I convince myself that God couldn't possibly be interested in ALL the things that are stressing me out or making me feel overwhelmed.
Sometimes I convince myself God is only interested in the BIG stuff.
Sometimes I convince myself God is limited by human frailties.
Sometimes I am convinced, I think.....TOO much!

I have limited God to the confines of the little box I keep Him in. I do not allow Him to be ALL He is that can make me ALL I can be. I've known God long enough (relationship) to KNOW that He IS interested in ALL the things going on in my life NOT just the big stuff. He is NOT limited by my human thoughts. He took on the qualities of a human for a brief period in time.

Sometimes we get SO wrapped up in the turning of the crank and the expectation of the *POP* that we forget we are the one that shut the lid!

I want to move beyond the limitations that I have put on God. Want to join me?

*POP*?!?!?!?!?!

John 1:1-5 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Job 11:7-9 (NIV) “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

Psalm 147:5 (NIV) Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.