One thing missing from when I talk with younger people, aka kids, is there
lack of imagination. They need to be entertained, and can spend endless hours
on a computer, squinting at an i-phone, or watching videos. And we all can be
guilty of it, but the creativity of their imaginations has been stifled, as
someone else does their thinking for them, they just watch, or change channels
if they don’t like what is on. As a kid growing up, it was a big deal in our
subdivision when a friend’s parents got new appliances. We didn’t really care
about the new stove or refrigerator, we cared about the box they came in. Some
neighbors were only interested in leaving it in the yard to impress their other
neighbors, but the cool ones knew how much we loved those boxes. Within seconds
of the new appliance arriving, and before it was even out of the box, we had
visions of space ships, race cars, forts, submarines, and anything else our
imaginations could come up with. And over time we learned that each type of box
held its own potential. A tall refrigerator box might be a fort, and you could
barely see over the top at who was shooting at you. On its side it could be a
cave, and who knew what lied in its dark recesses. One creative kid, laid it on
its side, and cut holes in it, pretending to ride it like a train car, just
like his dad did going to work. But one of my favorites was the long, not very
deep box that TV entertainment centers came in, you know the modern at the time
TV with stereo and radio enclosed in a piece of furniture, that seemed like it
was 10’ long. To me it was a race car, and many races were won from the side
benefit of a neighbor getting a new TV for us race in. Leaning in the corners,
making sounds like a big Hemi, or small block Chevy, these boxes were a primer
for life in the real world, but looking back maybe they were the real world, and
all else was fantasy.
Some days we would paint them, or write funny things on them. Some would
be cut down to size, and many smaller boxes used. Being stiff cardboard, they
made great castle when throwing rocks against them, and later cutting off pieces
for shields like Roman soldiers. Your imagination was your only boundary, and
as long as the box could hold together, you got to think within the box. Today
it is popular to think outside of the box, to not be constrained by anything or
anyone, but was inside the box that the greatest thinking went on, preparing us
to think outside of it when we got older. Maybe our parents were cooler than we
gave them credit for, or maybe smarter for the same reason, but whatever the
reason, the outcome was using our imaginations to have a good time. To explore,
to think, just the opposite of old Quick Draw McGraw, who used to tell us “I’ll
do the thinkin’ around here, and don’t you forget it.” But it was in our
thinking inside the box that prepared us for greatness later. To be tested,
through playing and investigating, an education not available at even the finest
colleges. We had to think for ourselves, and entertain ourselves, and despite
Quick Draw’s warning, we did the thinkin’ back then, and don’t you forget
it.
Being a Christian can present a new set of problems. Just the opposite of
us thinking inside the box, so many times we get into trouble when we think
outside of the box. The box that is formed within many churches. Now no church
or fellowship was ever formed not thinking it could do a better job than the
current one, but many times base the new on the old. Not necessarily bad, but
without a vision, the same kind we had as kids, it is just another big box that
was thrown away. Its contents gone, and no longer usable. So we are encouraged
to stay within the church and its boundaries, and many time told we are better
off doing it their way. Don’t make waves, go along with the pastor and his
board, or is it boring. Instead a life in Christ should be challenging,
exciting, and with a vision. What plan does Jesus have for me? And how will I
know it when I see it? Sometimes it goes beyond imagination, as God sees the
whole picture, both inside and outside the boxes we live in. And that is when
life is exciting, we see more of Jesus, and guided by his spirit see more
blessings and miracles. Jesus once answered a question, telling his audience
that he can do nothing of himself. He could only do what his father in heaven
showed him to do. Maybe the original thinker inside the box, he operated
outside the box his whole ministry, defying traditions and religious ways, and
being everything his father wanted him to be. Unto death and resurrection,
Jesus operated outside the boundaries of church and religion, he walked in the
spirit. And his life was anything but boring.
Anytime Jesus showed up, things happened. While the Pharisees shunned him
for healing a lame man on the Sabbath, he showed him love. He had a personal
talk with a woman who had 5 husbands and living with another. One time he
commanded demons to leave, another spit in a blind man’s eye and gave him
sight. All things done in love, guided by his father. A true rebel among
rebels, he showed love and understanding when rules and legalism were portrayed
by others. And he encourages us the same way today.
Walking in the spirit is like thinking outside the box. No walls or rules
to hinder, and if God says it, it will be done. Many times we just have to show
up and obey, the hardest thing to do, for it involves trust, and sometimes ideas
outside the realms of our imagination. What we fail to see sometimes was Jesus
and his interaction with everyday people, we like the big miracles, but daily we
can be part of many intimate moments with Christ. last night he showed me one,
simple to some, but important to the two of us. A man I teach asked me to bless
his Bible. Now I cannot do that under legalism, theology will dictate
otherwise. So I wrote him a personal note inside, to remind him how much he is
loved by God and me. To encourage him when he looks at it, to point him back
when his feet slip. Outside the box of many, we were both blessed, him by
asking and me by receiving, then by receiving. The spirit directed me to show
love, I thanked him for being my friend, a friend of Jesus. Outside of the
restraining walls of religion, the spirit guided me in love. A small thing but
a big thing at the same time.
Maybe we need to spend some time in an old box, thinking and dreaming.
Having fun, taking a break from life. A time to let God be God, to listen to
him, to be encouraged by him. The ultimate prayer closet. To see him outside
the box of religion, and receive blessings. Or to be a blessing. Four walls do
not make a church, we are the church. A tabernacle where God has written his
words on our hearts. So we always have him with us. Maybe next time you are
subpoened to answer “are you in the word?” you can answer “the word is in me.
Is it in you?”
Jesus could do nothing outside of himself. And we cannot do anything
without him, the way to the father. A truth we need to act on, not just
believe. Without him we can achieve nothing, we him our lives can be as
exciting as playing in a box. Today you can become the man God wants you to be
by just asking Jesus and listening, the most important part of prayer. Then
obeying, and even the simplest of things will be important. Get out and live
with Christ!
So many boxes and yet so little time. A better reason to seek Jesus now.
Time is a wasting, and there are blessings to be had. Our words and actins have
little power unless done in the spirit of the Lord. Take the freedom we once
found in the box as kids and take it outside the box where the action is. Where
Jesus spent most of his time, out among the people, the lost who needed him.
You can join him in living a life for the father by getting out of the box and
into the spirit. Where only you are limited by your imagination. We were born
in a box, and will be buried in a box. Don’t you think it is time for a break?
Escape and find life. Let Jesus do the thinkin’ around here, and don’t you
forget him!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com