Big Round World, Small Square Box

Thousands of years ago, the earth was found to be round, not flat.  This big, round, colorful creation we inhabit was never meant to fit inside a small, square, dark box.  Perhaps if we could follow the circular contour of our Masterfully designed planet when dealing with issues of humanity, our existence would find a way to circle around one another in patterns of understanding versus penning abrupt lines that create sharp boxes to be taped shut and stored away. Closed boxes disregard the privilege of stepping into the circular flow of another’s experiences to fully embrace the joy & challenge of diversity.

As I read through my social media platforms, I see so many small, dark boxes that my soul can hardly stand the pressure of the tape pressing against my flesh – begging me to fit inside of a box.  “Pick my box – it’s the only way” to think, feel, solve, make a stand, disregard or minimize the hard issues of humanity.  Pain & conflict should not be recognized without the circular flow of choosing to step into the spaces of others for a deeper view of understanding.   

The beauty of the human experience is found in the circular spaces of challenging thinking, listening ears, open eyes and the willingness to avoid ‘fixing’ (disregarding) issues by closing boxes and instead entering circles of love and compassion with one another. 

And, church…I love you, but it does not need to be about you…

The issue of athletes kneeling during the National Anthem did not need to take a spin to focus on whether someone would choose to kneel at church on Sunday.  My fellow friends of Jesus, we wonder why ‘Christians’ are called hypocrites and our great country is pulling away from Christianity…why do we step into these places with righteous views and closed boxes?  I venture to say that my precious, sweet Jesus is less concerned about whether y’all kneel at church on Sunday and more concerned about whether you position yourself AMONG His people in a posture of love - standing/laying/kneeling alongside one another with love for His humanity on your mind.  Dear friends, Jesus wept in the bible and He weeps now – in ALL the broken places. 

I will stand with the military, kneel with my sons, honor the police, speak out for justice, grieve with the broken, serve my Jesus and enter into all these circles with deep love for others as my guide.  I can do all those things at once. I don’t need to put them in a box of righteousness with a single viewpoint – I can enter them in a circular space of open thinking.   I will choose to embrace life on this big, round, beautiful planet – refusing to be placed in small, dark boxes of righteousness & ignorance. 

May we all learn to think outside the box...