Boxes are nice. They’re cube-ish with all those pointy
corners. That delightful shade of cardboard brown. They are so sturdy. And just
the right size for storing whatever we put inside. Like out of season clothes,
clutter, gifts. Or God.
Sometimes, though, we find ourselves breathlessly at a
precipice, toes just off the edge. We attempt to scramble backward toward solid
ground while crying out, “Father, if you do not intervene—all is lost!” In this
moment, realization screams through our consciousness. We need more. More than cardboard. More than
corners. We need more than a
fits-in-the-box God.
Perhaps we’re a little afraid of the concept of “more.” What
if we find that God is no larger than our box? No greater than our previous
encounters with Him? What if He is only “fun-sized”?
His Word says He is more than we can imagine. History
reports this as well. Old Testament to current texts record moves of God that
are more than we’ve ever known. Previous generations detail experiences of
people who have seen Him perform miracles and even seen the misty Presence the
Israelites followed through their wanderings in the desert. Remember the Mercy
seat contained in Moses’ tabernacle and God’s visible presence—the Shekinah
Glory—that rested there? All of this is because God desires to be known by His
people in a measure that they can’t box up. In a measure that won’t neatly fit
under the bed.
I assure you: there is more of God than room inside our
boxes. Moreover, we need more of God than that. Our notions of “just enough” are
not remotely enough. We need the fullness
of His presence.
Join me in asking for God to do more. More than we’ve seen
in the past. More than fits in our box. More than makes us feel comfy. Will you
join me in praying Habukuk 3:2?
“Lord, I have heard
of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.”
