Boxes

So this weekly blogging thing hasn't really been working out...maybe I should just settle with monthly??

Here goes. I've been really noticing a pattern in my life lately. It's called Boxes. More commonly known as stereotypes or judgements. In some ways, they're complicated. In others, they're rather simple.
Why do we box things? To give us a sense of control, even comfort. Simple, right? I find myself doing this daily and it's something that can easily go unnoticed. However, by boxing up my personality, people, and even God, I'm limiting myself and all the other things or people that I'm boxing up. That's when boxes get complicated.

1. Personality
How do you box a personality? I've taken quite a few personality tests and they come back with words like "introvert" or "extrovert", "intuitive" or "judging", etc. Those tests are great, but in some ways they assist me in labeling myself. What if instead of being an "introvert" or "extrovert" I'm a little bit of both? I don't believe that we should box ourselves, because then it becomes the same as limiting who Jesus really made us to be. He's the one that knows us inside and out, and I don't think He was relying on labels when He knit us together. I'll give a comparison. Let's compare our personalities to our styles. What if we limited ourselves to a category in fashion? Let's say classy. And all you wore was classy outfits. No hipster intertwined or preppy prevalence, just classy. Now that's limiting. So why do we do this with our personalities? Instead of labeling yourself as an introvert or a nerd, just be YOU.

2. People
I think this is most likely what we think of when we hear "stereotypes". So often we categorize people into labels such as "gangster" or "preppy" or "hipster", etc. Why? Just like the other stereotypes, it puts us in a position of control. By categorizing people, we are limiting them and ourselves. How? Most likely you have certain types of people that you're drawn to because of similarities and this isn't a bad thing, but when it becomes something where you're not willing to talk to someone or relate to someone outside of your designated boxes, then we have a problem. Don't get me wrong, this is something I struggle with but I would also say that everyone struggles with this. It's not wrong to have certain people that you are drawn to as long as you don't allow that to ruin your chances of friendship with others who may or may not need someone like you.

3. God
Okay, I get it. You may be wondering how you box God up? It's rather easy, I think. It's easy to put labels on a God who is so outside of our mental capacity. We can do this by the way we describe Him: "judge", "loving", "powerful", "sympathetic", etc. How could we mere humans even presume to do this? God is so outside of what we could explain and yet we limit Him to words so that we can, in a sense, control Him. We can limit God by boxing Him in certain areas of our lives. We relate to God at church and with those we feel comfortable around, but with strangers or people we don't know so well, we back off that subject. This goes back to the topic of complete and utter surrender. Finally, we can limit God by letting Him be in control of some parts of our lives, but certain areas...maybe not so much.

Do you see it? Do you see the pattern unfolding?

In life, boxes seem prevalent. There are so many ways to box things, people, and God. It limits yourself and others. This is definitely not how God wants us to live.

When Jesus came, He didn't box his life. He hung out with prostitutes, tax collectors, etc. People that others would say to steer clear of. Jesus knew better...obviously. We should learn by His example.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:1-5

It's hard not to judge or stereotype in a world that is full of judgments and stereotypes but we are called to be different. To stand out. Not only in the way in which we interact with others, but also in a way in which we ourselves refuse to be boxed. Or rather, refuse those boxes affecting how we live. The fear of being boxed or stereotyped is so prevalent in this world around us. We are afraid of being put in a box where we don't belong-of being set aside because of the world's judgement and not seen for who we really are. Jesus told us not to judge, and we shouldn't. But we also shouldn't let the words judgements of us get in the way of believing in who Jesus says that we are.

2 Corinthians 5:17 
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 8:1 
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.