Get out of the box!

Living inside a box would not be fun. But over time, life inside that box would become more 'normal' than the world outside. A study on frogs illustrates how this happens... some frogs were put in separate jars and at first they kept jumping around, trying to escape. But over time, they got used to the jar and, when the lid was removed, they didn't even attempt to jump out. Why? Because they didn't believe they could get out (and they'd probably knocked their heads too many times).

The Israelites did the same thing: 'They...limited the Holy One of Israel from giving them his blessings. They forgot his power and love' (Psalm 78:41-42 TLB). What, we can 'limit' God? Did we read that right? Yes, it's squashing a big idea into one word (a box). God is still God; he doesn't have limits. But, not being the dictator type, he allows us to invite him into our lives. If we don't invite him in, then sometimes he really will sit outside. Is that 'limiting' him? Well, it's certainly limiting his involvement in the situation. Other Bible translations of the Hebrew word here suggest this is like 'wounding' God.

So, about our situation (our 'box'), remember that God's able, and very willing, to step in and blow limits and expectations out of the water. He wants us to break free from perceived constraints.



So what now? Get out of a box you're in: whether you or someone else put you in it. And invite God to help you - he can't wait for you to be free!





— SCRIPTURE —

'They...limited the Holy One of Israel.' Psalm 78:41 TLB
— SOULFOOD —

1 Chr 19:1-23:20, John 9:24-41, Ps 115, Pro 25:26-28