God in a Box

I’ve recently been deeply challenged about the vastness of God. Alongside that I’ve seen the ‘itty bitty’ box of my human ways that I try to squash Him into. It’s not that I don’t believe in God or trust in Him. And it’s not that I don’t have relationship with Jesus. No, it’s none of those things, but it’s that I tend to see circumstances and situations through human eyes. And out of that I try to work out a solution to any problem or situation with my human mind.

In our everyday life we can only see the surroundings that are around us, the room we’re standing in, the road we’re driving along or the field we’re walking in. Our view is limited. But if we go up a hill, our view gets bigger, or if we go up a mountain, bigger still. If we go up in an aeroplane our view becomes enormous. The higher up we get the more detail we see of the landscape. We see the boundaries of fields, what crops or animals are in each field, the map of roads and houses, and more ships than just one on the sea. Many years ago I had the privilege of flying in Concorde, and from the height we flew I could see the borders of many countries and the curvature of the earth. The higher we go the bigger the picture and the view we have.

How do we respond when difficult situations arise in our lives, or when our circumstances change? Perhaps we go into fear, anxiety, worry, insecurity, panic, anger, hurt, or depression. Maybe there are feelings of isolation, resentment, bitterness, and being out of control. We may think “it’s not fair, why me? I can’t deal with it”. When we have these feelings what do we do? How do we respond? Maybe we control, manipulate, work it out, make a plan, find a solution, and want immediate answers.

I wonder if any of this sounds familiar. For many of us finding a solution becomes our only focus. It’s as if the current issue is the only thing in our lives, and it becomes all consuming, so much so that our view narrows, and our inability to see the wood for the trees increases. How often do we go round in circles trying to find our way and the solution to the problem? It’s in these times that we might sometimes put God in a box. Somehow we think, if we can’t see the solution, why would God be able see it? And if He does see the solution why isn’t He telling us, or doing anything about it? In short, we believe that God thinks like we do!

Our scripture today clearly says that God’s ways are higher than ours, and that He doesn’t think in the same way that we do. Over these past few weeks I’ve faced some difficult circumstances and issues, and it was only when I sought His ways and thoughts that I began to see things in a much clearer way. It’s as if when I’ve trusted God, He’s taken me higher in Him and I’ve been able to see things more from His perspective, able to see the bigger picture. And, although I may not fully see or understand what He’s doing, or how it will work out, seeing a little from His perspective enables me to trust Him.

There’s great comfort in remembering that I’m only human and He’s Almighty God, and that, even though things may not be clear to me, they are to Him. God alone knows the beginning from the end, and every detail of the middle too. We need to stop putting God into the box of our own thinking and allow Him to be God in every situation and circumstance. Allow His perspective and thinking into the circumstances of your life. Take the risk. You know you want to. He won’t fail you!

Prayer: Father, I’m sorry if I’m going round in circles today and not trusting You with all the circumstances of my life. I’m sorry for trying to work it all out. Forgive me, Lord, for the times that I’ve put You into the box of my way of thinking. Forgive me for not allowing You into situations, and pushing You out. I ask You into the things I face, and say I’m willing to trust and obey You. Thank You, Lord, that You’re faithful and trustworthy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.