Hope Road

Boxes

Just now I came across the blog of someone I used to do ministry with a few years ago. I scanned through some of her entries, and read about where she’s been ministering and what her hopes and dreams are after graduation. And I just started thinking, when did I start dreaming small? I know I dream bigger than some people, but seriously, I used to dream so much bigger than I do now. When did I become so afraid? When did I start thinking inside the box? Why can’t I break free and be up for anything, like I used to be? Can’t I find the balance between craziness and realism? What would happen if I opened my hands and let go of all these fears and regrets I’m holding on to? What might be around the corner? How would I feel if I stopped dreading the unknown and started embracing it? If I started making plans in spite of financial issues? If I quit slapping the “impossible” label on everything I really want to do? If I trusted?

I had to laugh at myself today
For thinking about how I had it made
And day after day just slips away
As if I’ve got it figured out

I’m so used to being comfortable
To life being uninterruptable
But that’s not what I’m about

I’m gonna live outside the box today
And capture everything around me
Thank the Lord for what surrounds me
Maybe I’ll just throw the box away
‘Cause it’s so much better out here anyway

I’m tired of my life being typical
Why should it have to be predictable?
Life can be irresistible
And that’s what I’m finding out

I’m seeing things from a different view
Closing my eyes and trusting You
‘Cause that’s what I’m all about

Thank You for the life You’ve given me
Thank You for the way You make me free to be
Someone who can look at every day
Seeing all the beauty You have made

(Alli Rogers, “Boxes”)

I think I’ll throw the box away.

3 Comments to Boxes

julie
March 16, 2008

wow, I think like that all the time and wonder if I only just let go and dream what God would do……thanks for the inspiration and making me dream a little today

Emily (Unfurling Flower)
March 20, 2008

Anna, I so know what you mean. When I first left home to come to university, 3 and a half years ago, I had much bigger dreams, was more radical, and had a lot more faith for big things of God. But after a while, I slipped into the comfortable “box” of just basic living. Thank God that He has been stirring me to believe big things of Him again!
P.S. I love the words of “Boxes” - I could really resonate with them.

Rachael
June 10, 2008

I too feel I used to ‘think big’…I sometimes partially pursued ‘big’(ish) things…and may continue to do so in the future. Haven’t lost all desire for adventure, but I am becoming more comfortable with the mundane. The mundane can be spiced up with relationships and ministry sprinkled in. I want to learn how to do the mundane well…that’s more of my hope (rather than do something amazingly adventurous…) right now. It’s awesome that there are people who dream big and follow those dreams, if they feel that’s where God’s led…but we also need the seemingly invisibles who do their life tasks well…

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