Devotions

Devotions

Outside the Box

Revelation 21:5

You have probably heard the term, “Outside the Box”. Have you ever applied this to some area of your life? Farmers do it all the time. I talked with a church member named Bob Fitch one day about chicken houses. Bob and his wife manage chicken houses for a major food company. He told me of when the experts told him of a nylon type of chicken wire to replace the traditional type of metal wire. He was told of how this new kind of nylon wire would outlast the metal wire which had to be replaced every few years because of rust.

Bob told me of how he and his wife took samples of this new stuff and froze it, heated it and tested it. When I heard him explain this story to me, I was intrigued at how he and his wife chose to test this new wire. The cost to replace the traditional metal wire would be expensive on the front end, but, not having to replace the wire for many years would pay for the investment. Who would have ever thought of nylon chicken wire? Nylon and wire don’t even go together. That is “Outside the box”.

When carpenters are presented with a challenge of cutting many pieces of wood to build cabinets or structures, they design what is called a jig. This device will shorten the time it takes to measure each piece of wood that has to be cut. You and I would call this device “a pattern”. The jig may be used for one project or many projects. That is “Outside the box”.

When the Apollo 13 space vehicle experienced a devastating event that cancelled their moon landing and jeopardized their lives along with the return trip to earth, the NASA technicians in Houston, TX quickly began to think “Outside the Box”. They had to devise a filter device out of whatever was available in the wounded space craft. Then they had to re-create procedures that were no longer able to keep the space crew alive in space. They did not have much time to waste. “Outside the box”.

When the disciples were left alone on planet earth as Jesus ascended to heaven, they would be challenged to reach the world with a Gospel message not many had heard of nor understood. I don’t know what phrase they would have used for their moment, but, today’s phrase would be, “Thinking Outside The Box”.

One day recently, I watched one of our bluebird boxes. For a week, we heard baby birds chirping when their parents came to feed them. Then, one day, I saw something amazing. One of the babies looked outside the box! As I saw this event unfold, I wondered what the baby was thinking. All of its life, up until that moment, all the baby bird knew was a box that had a hole in one wall where light beamed through. Everyday, the bird’s parents would appear at the hole and then disappear again. Then it happened! The baby gained the courage to look “Outside the Box”. What a world of color and amazement was waiting. Yes, there would be challenges "Outside the Box". Of course, the bird could remain in the safety of what he knew up until that moment in its life. The bird could be held back by not knowing what would happen "Outside the Box". If so, then the bird could be forever refrained from venturing out because of the challenges that were “Outside the Box”.

What if the disciples measured the dangers of being “Outside the Box” of their day, like, death because of their faith? What if they had decided to stay in the box? What if they measured the cost of the challenges, like leaving home and not being accepted, and then decided not to go forward? Who would God have had to raise up to take their place in the greatest work of that day? God would have raised up another because He always does (Esther 4:14).

A lot of the time, it is not what is outside the box that keeps someone from going out. The biggest preventing factor is actually the “Inside of the Box”. It is what we know. It is what is comfortable and safe. It is what is easy. Being “Inside the Box” does not cost anything. There are also those inside the box who have determined never to leave. If you leave, they will be alone. If you stay, they will have company. You will know the “Insiders” because they are the ones that warn you of the failures, the dangers and the costs. They are the ones that will give you a million reasons for staying when you tell them about venturing out.

I have visited the land below the equator and led children to salvation. I have visited the land on the other side of the planet and preached the Gospel to those who were delivered from communism. These opportunities came with great challenges, dangers and costs. When I was a young boy, I never would have dreamed that I would see these places and others. My box was small and the hole in the wall was far away and hard to step out of. I have seen many of our nation’s states. My life journey allowed me to work on technologically advanced aircraft, pastor several churches and meet amazing people along the way. It all started when I stepped “Out of the Box” and walked down the isle and received Jesus as my Lord. Following Him has not always been easy. Sometimes the Lord required me to step off of my known map and enter totally into the place where He was leading me. There were challenges, dangers and costs. I lived to tell about it. So can you! What about you? Have you been “Outside the Box” lately?

I am so glad that baby bluebirds venture “Outside the Box”. Their contribution to this world is one of color, grace and beauty. What about you? What is the box that confines you? What is the challenge that keeps you in the box? Take a step and allow God to show you His wonders!

Pastor Ernie

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