I stood out front of the hospital. We waited for an update on my father-in-law after a recent fall. I walked outside to get a breath of fresh air and stretch my legs. Nothing seemed severe, but we still waited for all the test results before we could relax. Off to the side of the entrance, I noticed some workers boxing up something. Their work piqued my interest during the boredom of the moment, so I walked closer. In the box, I saw a statue of Jesus wrapped in bubble paper. I stepped back trying to understand the scene before me. I think I let out a small gasp as the men turned to look at me. One of them spoke, “The hospital doesn’t need the statue any longer, so it is going to a new place.” I nodded and headed back inside. The family all laughed as I retold the story. The imagery of the Jesus statue all boxed up and the stress of the situation provided us the relief that comes from laughter.
Mark 8:36 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
As God sometimes does, He takes a memory and teaches me something from it. I found the statue in the crate as one of these teaching moments. Do we keep Jesus in a box? Do we try to limit His impacts on our daily schedules? Some people think if they keep Christ restrained, they can live a life similar to the secular world. Those type of people feel secure in their Christianity as long as they attend church regularly and pray for forgiveness. Some people box God into Sundays and don’t acknowledge Him the rest of the week. Do you remember the old bumper stickers that stated: “God is my co-pilot.” Many Christians still want to pilot their destiny. But is that how God wants us to relate to Him?
[bctt tweet=”Some people box God into Sundays and don’t acknowledge Him the rest of the week.”]
Matthew 10:38 “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
God created us for a relationship with Him. But, He also created us to serve His purpose in the world. The Great Commission Bible verse found in Matthew 28:19-20 sums up God’s purpose for us, to bring others to Christ. But what does God want in our relationship with Him? Let’s look at how to strengthen my relationship with Him.
[bctt tweet=”God created us for a relationship with Him.”]
1) Talk with God daily. Relationships involve communications, and the way to communicate with God is through prayer. If you don’t know what to say, start with the Lord’s Prayer. Over time, prayer becomes more natural as we grow comfortable with sharing our thoughts and feelings with Christ.
2) Read the Bible daily. The words of the Bible are one way that God speaks back to us. But if we are not reading it, then how will we know what He is saying to us. Many apps and websites offer a new verse each day, and this can be a great way to start.
3) Become part of a small group. Find a Sunday School class or small Bible study group that will help you grow in your faith and hold you accountable for your growth in Christ.
4) Memorize a few Bible verses. When you come across a scripture that speaks to you, commit it to memory. I find it helpful to recall verses when I am stressed or feeling lost. My life verse, the one I go to in time of troubles, is Romans 8:28.
Matthew 28:19-20 “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
God does not want us to box Him up and only interact with Him on Sundays. He wants a daily relationship with us. Unpack the crate and invite Him in. Christ is waiting; He stands at the door and knocks. All we have to do is open the door.
[bctt tweet=”God is knocking on the door. Who will answer?”]
Blessings,
Yvonne – #blogger, #speaker, and #author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Thank you for your blog, Yvonne, and the reminder to keep Jesus visible at all times. God knows our inner most thoughts, so that just makes praying easier. There’s no pretense. We can be who we are before Him and use our own words. There are no magic words or way to say them; no excuse for not having a relationship with Him.
Great points so thanks for adding your comments
I would have had to ask where they were taking Him or could I have Him. When my garden statue got broken, I kept it. It kept getting weed whacked but not by me. I put it in the garage and then my mother hit it with the door. I had to let it go, it was so hard too, it became a blog post of mine. I know it’s not the real one, just representative of how much I loved HIm. To anyone keeping Him boxed, let out to love you.
I think they were taking it to a church. This one was huge, probably ten feet tall. Good job on tweeting about it, God shows us so much through events in our lives. God bless
I thought He might have been just being stored away. Good to know.
I am thankful that God’s love for us can’t be hidden in a box. We are truly loved by Him.
And His love changes our lives. Thanks for commenting and God bless
I know a LOT of people who put God in a box by “theories of men”, for example. Since I am a Christian Apologist, I see this regularly. Atheists put God in a box by demanding some kind of sign in the sky (or whatever) to prove His existence. They are not satisfied with the evidence of the historical event of the Resurrection or by anyone’s personal testimony. What I’ve discovered is that when you put God in a box, He generally stays there; not because He is unable to do otherwise. It’s because of our limiting belief, or our sense of entitlement (I want a sign!) that He will remain just where we put Him sometimes. That is why it is imperative to get to know who He is by reading the Word of God. You learn more about who He is, what He can do, and just how Holy He is, and then, hopefully, that box will break open. (For those who don’t think the Bible is inspired, well, that is another story, and there is not room enough here to address that.) Thanks for the post!
Great explanation and thanks so much for adding it. God bless
Yes, Yvonne! Love this analogy! We do attempt to box Jesus up except on Sundays or to keep Him at bay while we try to live on our own power and opinions.
But we fail every time. We cannot be good on our own or get it right on our own.
God’s goodness doesn’t fit in our proverbial good box. Even if we could stuff Him there and manage to squeeze on the lid, the box would burst open the seams, breaking it into smithereens.
God can’t be placed in a box.
Thanks for adding your thoughts Karen. God bless
Hi like your story about the Jesus statue in the box. It’s a rather accurate analogy of many believers’ relationship with the Lord! When we allow Him to be the Pilot, that’s when life changes for the better!
Amen
Yes! When I neglect my relationship with God, I know I put him in a box, wanting my own goals and purposes. When I walk alongside and daily seek that relationship, I find myself seeing God’s works more clearly.
So true for so many of us.
I just love the thought of you walking out at the right moment to see them boxing Jesus up. What a great way to walk us through the idea of making Christ king, not an add-on. Thank you for your faithful reminder to walk with him every day.
Thanks
I love that we have an out of the box Savior! But too often, we do put Him in a box, and set it on a shelf. Only opening it when it’s conveneint. But Jesus was never meant to be like that. He is an all consuming Savior that rules our hearts and minds every moment of every day.
Amen Heather. You are so right
Dear Yvonne!
Thank you for sharing. Sure, Jesus can use anything to teach us what we need to know.
Agree, speaking with God daily is needed. And it’s also what gives us power to propel forward.
With love,
Edna Davidsen
Thanks Edna. I appreciate your feedback
Great post, Yvonne! You do such a great job catching those everyday moments and grasping the lesson. Thank you for sharing this universal truth for human beings. We get so busy and wrapped up in our lives that we stick Jesus in the box wrapped in bubble wrap. Thanks for the reminders. Talk to him – we’re in relationship. So essential! Thanks!
You are welcome and thanks Melinda
I think it is funny that the hospital said they didn’t need Jesus anymore. I have met many people who are successful and often it is one or the other extremely. There is humility that Christ, brought them this far, there is also a moment for some when they seem to say. I will take it from here Jesus.