I have a box I keep growing up memories in. Another box I keep married life memories in. And yet another I keep baby memories in. Boxes help organize things. Contain things. That’s okay when we deal with stuff.
But sometimes we try to contain our life. Keep it safe. “What will people think?” keeps us from saying what needs to be said. “What if it doesn’t work?” keeps us from trying something new. “What if I mess up?” Keeps us locked in failure mode.
God created us to live outside of the box, not stuffed into the shadows listening to our fears.
Sometimes that means a bungee jump off the bridge of our comfort zone. Get up in front of a crowd, teach a class, change jobs.
Other times, there is no applause. Write a note of encouragement instead of complaining about our situation, be a friend instead of dwelling on our loneliness, tell our neighbor how God has helped us instead of isolating our self-lest we offend them.
It may not be alabaster, but most of us have or have had a box where we lock up the best we have to give. It looks different for everyone. Fear and selfishness keep me boxed up.
Getting out of the box for me means, among other things, putting pen to paper and submitting my manuscript and being faithful to my family without getting snappy with them.
What does your box look like? How can you live outside of the box?
I would love to hear what you come up with. Go for it! Climb out of that box!
Here’s a video to encourage you.
