God in a Box

SCRIPTURE
However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?” Acts 7:48-50


OBSERVATION
Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 is given in response to the accusation that he was speaking against the Temple and the place where the Jews worshiped (Acts 6:12-14). In his speech, Stephen referred to God’s work taking place both outside the Temple and outside Israel. Stephen points to Abraham, Joseph and Moses all having interaction with God in other places. He concludes his speech by saying that God does not live in houses made by men. The religious leaders of the time seemed to want to confine God to a box. In their mind, worship, prayer and experiencing God occurred in the Temple. However, through Stephen, God spoke powerful words that He is the King, and His rule, reign and presence cannot be contained.


APPLICATION
What box do I try to place God in? Do I confine Him to my religious tradition and spiritual practices? Do I limit my interaction with Him to my concepts of what is normal or comfortable? I need to recognize that God the sovereign ruler of the universe and His rule, reign and presence cannot be neatly packaged for my convenience.

PRAYER
Almighty God, you are King! The earth is yours, as is everything in it. Help me not to limit my experience of you to my tradition or my understanding of spirituality. Help me to experience you in new, unexpected ways.