“Think outside the box” we are regularly exhorted. Unfortunately, what that usually means is, “You get out of your box and climb into mine.” Just like we do with our biases, prejudices, bad habits, and sins, we tend to see clearly how others are in boxes but are quite blind to our own box.
Missional thinking and living like Jesus in the world requires that we get out of the box. Well, maybe. Consider these suggestions about the “box”:
1) Some boxes are for your own protection. Know, understand, and be able to explain your biblical and theological convictions. Good box. Stay in.
2) Some boxes need to be discarded. Some methods, styles, and ways of doing things need to be seriously examined. They may be unbiblical, culturally inappropriate, or just flat ineffective. Bad box. Get out.
3) Don’t just trade one box for another. Too often we hear about some really cool idea or strategy or model for missional living and jump out of our box right into another box. We think we are being really creative, when we have actually just traded one old narrow way of thinking for a new narrow way of thinking. Could be good box, could be bad box. Prayerfully think before leaping.
4) Whatever you do, don’t box the Holy Spirit. He can work in and through many people and many ways. Don’t put him in your own box and put down all other ways of acting and living missionally. Assuming box #1 is in place, there are many expressions of living like Jesus in the world. Just make sure you are doing what he has called you to do.
Bryan K. Galloway
Chad Vandiver
David A Alexander
terrycoy
tiffanydsmith
