Outside the Box

Have you heard the term “think outside the box”?

My whole life I have been taught to think outside the box. As a creative person I love to think outside of normal thought processes and perimeters. I was the kid that tried to think of how to fit the square peg into a round whole not because I didn’t get it or understand it but to prove I could. Maybe you can relate or maybe you’re the type that just accepts gravity as gravity, which is where I’m going with this thought of mine.

You see I believe we serve a God who is “outside the box.” But when it comes to certain things in regards to God moving or doing certain supernatural miracles I have found that I have put God in a box. I hope you’re following me and I promise I’m getting there.

In the Bible, God did remarkable things. My personal error in putting God in a box is the “did” part. I mean we see the sun standing still or literally time stopping so Israel could win a battle (Joshua 10:9). We see 3 young men made fireproof (Daniel 3). We also see God transport Philip (Acts 8) in order to reach an Ethiopian and then the people in Azotus instantly (about 35 miles). I have known these stories, but when did I stop believing that these types of miracles were only for the past? When did I minimize God to being less than God?

The people who look at God as the same yesterday, today and forever are the ones who pray boldly. They accept that God is in the box and beyond the box!

My thinking was challenged by one of my wife’s spiritual mentors, Patricia King, as we were talking about the tight window of time that we had to get back to Utah from Arizona because of appointments and a scheduling issue. She looked at me and said, “Well let’s ask the Author of Time for more time.” More time? Can we do that? Not only can we, but we absolutely should.

When we don’t have enough food should we ask the God of multiplication for more? When we are walking through fiery trials why not believe to become fireproof? When we need an extra hour to pray and we only have 5 minutes shouldn’t we ask for the sun to stand still so we can get the victory?

In case you’re wondering, the answers to all of those questions are, “Yes, yes, and yes!” Can I get an amen? Join me in praying bold prayers this week. Join me in believing that the God we pray to is the same yesterday, today and forever. I have no doubt that God will answer these bold prayers and when He does, I’d love to hear about it!

• Dustin