God in a Box

5-13-06

Why was there wind and sound and fire at Pentecost?

Wind to shatter the “box” that religion had kept God inside of for so long.

Wind to fill the sails of the “gospel ship”.

Sound to alert the listening, hungry souls that something new and refreshing was now available.

Fire to melt the frozen chosen – to free them to display the real truth about God.

Fire to burn away the baggage that had been unloaded from their hearts for the past ten days.

Fire of God's passion to burn white-hot with love in eyes newly opened by grace.

Some who criticize others for keeping God in a box simply want to impose their own box in place of other boxes.

Denominations are very obvious and well-defined boxes that most Christians force God into.

Most denominations have multiple subcultures that create even tighter, more restrictive boxes to define God.

What has happened is that we have come to view the box itself as God since it is the definition of God in our minds.

The only container that God has declared suitable for Him to dwell in is a human heart open to receive Him. It cannot contain Him but it can display Him.

Joy is at the heart of God's plan for His beings. God is the happiest being in the universe. - Ortberg