We are familiar with the idea of “thinking outside the box.” In short, it means to consider and then do something differently from what you’ve been doing. This is to effect another, hopefully better, outcome. To put it another way: Stupidity is to keep beating one’s head against a wall and wondering why you have headaches.
It’s easy to end up in a box. In fact, we all live in boxes of various sorts. For example, we all have a morning routine. It’s virtually the same every morning. Get up at the same time. Coffee. Cereal/toast. News. Etc. That’s a box. You don’t think about doing anything differently because there’s no need to. What if something changes, however? Suppose one of the kids wakes up sick. Then you have to think “outside the box.” What’s wrong? Is it a cold or tummy ache, or do they need to go to the clinic? Call the school. Should I go to work/stay home from work? Who will stay with them? Dozens of questions “outside the box.”
Another example. You find that you and your spouse have been very distant. She’s been irritable; you’re judgmental. Neither of you have been smiling much. Same old routine. It all seems a drag. You’ve fallen into “a box.” It happens from time to time to every couple. To get out of that box, you have to think outside of it. What do you need to do differently to bring back the real love to your relationship? To add some sizzle and smiles? Some purpose? Do it!
God is a master at getting people out of boxes that are harmful to them and His kingdom. The church in Jerusalem had gotten comfortable in a box. The gospel had been spread in the city, and the number of men in the church was now about 5000 (Acts 4:4) and continuing to increase (Acts 6:7). But the disciples weren’t budging to take the gospel anywhere else (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). So God went to work, and “a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria ... those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” God pushed them out of their box!
Are you in a box? Are we? Hmmm? More next time.
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