“God is always bigger than our boxes, so we should not waste too much time protecting the boxes.”
While on pilgrimage with Bronwyn Spilsbury and Pastor Leon exploring the acts of the Holy Spirit and encountering the early churches written to in the book of Revelation, I found myself reflecting on my personal “ah ha” moments. Very early in our pilgrimage together, Leon challenged us with the words “How big is your box?” meaning what preconceived ideas and beliefs do I hold fast to? Do I really understand how much of much of my biblical understanding is influenced by western eyes and interpretation? Is there more the Spirit of God would like to impart to me in order to get a deeper understanding of God through His faithful followers through the millennia, and the context of the precious words of scripture recorded or do I feel I am so very clever, modern, and well-educated to not consider the early church leaders, the men and women who lived in a world so seemingly different than the one I live in?
For some of us, me included, we like to categorize things neatly and often arrange them in neat pretty storage containers. However, like the image of the reliquary I chose for today’s blog, storage containers are intended to store relics or dead things. The Spirit of God is not dead, nor does the Spirit thrive when kept confined in neat, orderly storage boxes. It may give me a sense of control and help me to feel safe but is that really what being a modern-day follower of “The Way”, a disciple of Jesus looks like?
I was stretched and encouraged by the many places we visited on our pilgrimage. At each site of the Revelation churches we visited, I was in awe at just how specific and personal the words written to each of the churches were and how those words were relevant to me personally as well as the church of the modern day. We live in a culture not so very different from those early churches with many of the same pressures and influences. Some overt, some covert…I began to see with fresh eyes and understanding how church traditions, different from my own, viewed and celebrated the infinite nature of God. This both encouraged and challenged me in my closely held beliefs; giving me new-found respect and admiration for these faithful followers that have gone before me. Sadly, I have found that at times we are so forward looking that we tend to discard the practices and disciplines of those who have walked closely with God before us, and we miss the richness and depth these can bring us in our own walk with God.
A famous ecumenical pastor and teacher once said, “God is always bigger than our boxes, so we should not waste too much time protecting the boxes.” I am finding this to be true in my own faith journey with my Beloved. I’m discovering it’s beneficial to loosen my grip on my ways of understanding while still holding fast to the truth of scripture while being more open to the ways that is expressed in how I worship and follow the One who is my LORD, Jesus, my Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.
Each of us, if we are honest with ourselves, have a limiting “box” that is governed by our finite understanding, culture, and level of faith. Growing as a disciple requires us to stretch and expand that box, and in some cases, entirely release it, trusting the Spirit’s leading and work in us to help us deepen our understanding and embrace the vastness of the God we love and follow.
In preparation for our church-wide 24/7 prayer initiative September 6th-13th, I, along with the Encounter team, invite you to, like David in Psalm 139, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Are there long held beliefs or ideas of what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus that need to be challenged? Would you be willing to allow the Spirit of the Living God in you to expand your “box” for you to more fully embrace the vastness of God and the many beautiful expressions of how we encounter and worship Him?
Fondly,
Melody
