My wife Vivien has been on my case to sort through stacks of magazines and papers that I have not touched for decades. I admit to coming from a long line of “Steptoe and Son” hoarders and have reduced the stacks somewhat. But you know how it is, many items like computer magazines are totally outdated and need recycling. Yet hidden in the stacks are items that bring back memories while others contain real treasures.
I came across a church bulletin dated 1994, and I’m sure I did not go to the service but I may have picked it up at a bookstore associated with the church. For some reason, the church included the words of songs sung that day, and one jumped right off the page and into my consciousness. The chorus of the song says…
Don’t put your limits on my God,
Don’t tell me what I must believe.
If God’s going to do His work He must be free.
Don’t put Him in a little box
And say, “You must be orthodox.”
For the love of God’s unlimited to me.
(On the internet I found it was from a song written in 1981 by Lucille Olson.)
Did that strike a chord with you (pun intended)? The verses talk about rules and regulations given to worship God, and how “there really is a danger That you’re worshiping the rules instead of God.” How true!
Its the first line of the chorus, though, that should get implanted in our minds: “Don’t put your limits on my God.” I get many emails asking me if I believe this or that. If the questioner is really persistent, I will say I believe in the Apostles’ Creed, which was good enough for the early church of the 2nd century. But of course even that gets me into trouble with some folk. And the reverse is true too — I don’t want to put my limits on your God either!
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). That’s my God!
In the late 1990’s two friends sang thie one Sunday at church, They
were dressed like Dana Carveys Saturday Night Live Church Lady. It
was a hoot and will stick in my memory forever. I was looking it up
for the minister at the church I attend now. Yesterday’s talk was on change
and not doing things like we have always done. Think this will be very appropriate.
Now I just have to find the rest of the words!
Hi Peter and Wife:
Yes the things that are in GOD and CHRIST JESUS belong to HIS whole family and what HE is sharing with all of us will last forever and that is a very good reason never to put GOD in a box because you will choose the wrong size box.
top o the morning to ye, P & V
i love that truth about out god. no limits, all things are possible
happens i am in I peter so am thinking of you anyway.
love
suzee B
How refreshing ! There are no limits on my God as I gleefully skip to my bed. Great article Pastor Wade. Bless you. Claudia