Box.

Box.

I can't count the number of times I've heard the expression about putting "God in a box". I have even said that phrase many times. The meaning of it is simply that we shouldn't limit what God can do in that particular situation. That expression makes for good preaching and good teaching. It sounds good and even seems logical. I understand the point someone is trying to make, however, it's not correct.

Are we so arrogant to think that we can limit God? Sure, we can choose to refuse His guidance and intervention in situations, but by doing this, do we really think we are putting Him in the box, or are we the ones in the box? If God is who He says He is, and I believe He is, then how exactly do we have the power to place Him in the box? God created everything around you just by speaking. He knows the name of every single star. He knows the number of grains of sand in the earth, and we think we are putting Him in the box?

This makes for good church speak and generates lots of "Amen's" and handkerchief waves, but it simply isn't correct. We are boxing ourselves in. We erect walls and place boundaries that limit ourselves and others. We turn our listening ears into deaf ears and seeing eyes into blind eyes. We make skilled hands into lame hands and soft hearts into hardened hearts, but we don't limit God. We limit ourselves.