There is No Box…
This article was originally posted in the Athabasca Advocate on April 25, 2006
As a parent of twin 3-year old daughters, Autumn and Emily, I am a proud witness to new discoveries and new innovations almost every day. For example, the other day Autumn started crying, but it was one of those quiet cries where your eyes just well up with tears. Emily, naturally being confused with this new experience, exclaimed, “She’s got a runny nose coming out her eyes!” Add that to the regular invention of new and exciting Cherrio-carrying technology, and you will see that my girls are not afraid to think outside of the box.
Maybe that’s why I find it so tragic when those of us in the church want to put life (and God) into a box, so that life is simple and controllable. Which is sad when the very person we claim to follow told us to become like little children (check out the eighteenth chapter of Matthew). From experience, I can tell you that the life of a child is anything but simple and in control. And I’m confident in saying that God is far bigger than any box we can make to put him in.
Innovations in music and technology allow people the world over hear the great news that Jesus brought to humanity in ways that they never expected. Take bands like U2 or Switchfoot (okay, and Paul Brandt for you country lovers) who can share their passion for God with millions of people. There are churches with whole congregations online for those people who for one reason or another are unable to connect with a local church (check out www.vivalarevolution.org). Each of these examples shows how we can think outside the box to share the timeless message of Jesus is new and timely ways.
Even in our own neighbourhoods, in the midst of our workplaces and schools, people are meeting together who aren’t reached by the standard forms of church but are desperately hungry for God. Every week, students from many different backgrounds and church histories gather together to pray for their friends, school, and town. The Good Samaritan Mission serves those who need food, clothing, and shelter with the love and compassion they gain from following Jesus. People are meeting in home groups to intentionally look at what it means to be the family of God by starting new churches.
Feel like you’ve never quite fit in at church, but you want to find God so badly that it’s like a lump in your throat? Don’t give up on the church- dare to find a new expression of it. Have you or your family been hurt, and you just can’t seem to get rid of the pain? Don’t give up on God- He mourns with you, and wants you to keep seeking Him. We live in a time of such great spiritual hunger, but also in a time of many options and expressions of faith communities focused on Jesus. Take a lesson from my daughters and look outside the box. You may just find that’s where God has been all along.
