Out of the Box

From a book i'm reading - A Deeper Level by Israel Houghton

This is an abstract from Alvin Richardson, apparently a production coordinator with Israel Houghton

"I am so excited that God has called us to a deeper level. I'm reminded of a time when the nation of Israel was called to a deeper level - basically invited to have a closer, more intimate relationship with God.

Sounds like a no-brainer, right? But they said, "No thanks." It was too intense for them, too scary.

So, instead, God allowed Himself to be figuratively put into a box. They build the Ark of the Covenant to house the Ten commandments, Moses' rod, and a jar of manna.

In many ways, however, this box represented the perceived presence of God to the Israelite people. I think God allowed this because He knew that eventually they would get sick of religion and ritual and would cry out for more.

God has undeniably called us to a deeper level. I believe He wants us to get past the trappings of church culture and lingo and habits. We have the same opportunity that Israel had - will we say "yes"? Or do we secretly prefer for God to stay in the box because it is too scary to have Him so close that our ugliness is exposed.

I think we tend to prefer the box. We try to fit Him into a program or a timetable. We repeat the things we say to Him in worship over and over.

Why don't we let God out of the box?

The truth is: we shouldn't be afraid of God cramping our style; we should worry that we will cramp His!

Our faith is boxed in. Our worship is boxed in. Our prayer life is boxed in. Let's respond to the call to go to a deeper level and let God out of the box. Let's worship expecting to see the lame walk. Let's sing and play expecting to see limbs grow back.

God has already blessed us so much from inside the box - imagine what He will do once we let Him out. During this consecration, find your box and rip it to shreds. There's no telling what God will do."

- Alvin Richardson
Blessings Beyond the Box