Choosing to live “outside the box” that society, others expectations, our mindsets and the status quo put us in can be threatening. Many even find the freedom found living out of the “box” confronting. We can all very easily become accustomed to limits; to boundaries, pressure and rules and if truth were told we may be quite fearful and offended when others venture beyond the known norm too.
Yet the bible says that when we ask Jesus into our lives He takes off the limits and encourages us to step out of any areas of our life where we’ve been boxed in, and offers us freedom instead. He gives us the ability to choose; to grow, to discover and to really live. The battle is whether we will be brave enough to embrace that type of lifestyle and belief system, or whether we stay within the confines of the status quo and what is usual and expected.
Even the church and many of those who seek to follow Jesus and His ways can still remain locked behind walls of religion, rules and limitations in their thinking and expressions of faith. Instead of believing that all things are possible for the person who believes and that who the son (Jesus) sets free is free indeed, we have allowed circumstances, traditions, societal norms and the tactics of the devil to define and confine us to venturing only where it “seems” safe, normal, inoffensive and acceptable to the masses.
However I sense that God wants so much more for us. His Word says so, the moving of His Spirit says so and the demonstrations of His miracle working power say so. If you look through God’s Word you will discover account after account of people who refused to live within the limits and expectations of their time. They pushed the boundaries of their faith, their race, their gender and their natural abilities.
One of the people whose “out of the box” life is documented in the Bible is Abraham. He dared to believe God; forsaking the limits and acceptance of his time, family and culture in leaving everything he knew to venture forth into a land he did not know. He believed when all natural hope was lost of fathering a child to his wife, and He believed when God spoke and directed him on how to live. He chose to live out his life beyond limits and this is why God calls Him the “Father of faith.” (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:6; Romans 4:16)
Today I encourage you to examine any limits or confining mindsets and expectations on your life. Are you locked into a lifestyle, thinking and system that was never God’s plan for you. If so, take some time to examine what these limits are and then ask God to set you free from them.
Because one of the main reasons Jesus died and rose again is to release us from any bondage, limitation, weight or fear and to bring us freedom to live as the person He created us to be. “For who the son sets free is free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Jesus himself said these words; “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18)
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (Galatians 5:1)
Prayer: Jesus thank you for the freedom you offer me. Please help me to live beyond my own or other peoples imposed walls, or the system of the world so that I can truly live free in you. Help me to step out of the box today. In Jesus Name Amen.
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