by Mark Stucky

Praise God for “boxes”
               that form infrastructure for living!
Praise God for customs, conventions, and traditions
               that give meaning, order, and comfort to us.
And praise God for creativity
               to take brittle, old-wineskin boxes,
               and revise or replace them with new wineskins,
               enhancing joy, justice, mercy, and love!

“Thinking outside the box” is fashionable
               but not inherently good or bad.
The results are sometimes helpful,
               sometimes merely impractical,
               and sometimes destructive.
At their best, unconventional thoughts and acts
               lead to greater truth, justice, and peace.
At their worst, untethered thinking and behavior
               lead to distortions, inequality, and chaos.

Boxes don’t emerge randomly from a void.
               Boxes had reasons birthing their existence.
Some reasons are outdated and outmoded.
               Remodel those boxes!
Some were corrupt and unjust from the start.
               Smash those boxes!
And some are still valid and true.
               Embrace those boxes!

Good, “gray,” and bad boxes surround us.
               Pray for wisdom to discern the differences.

Mark D. Stucky has degrees in religious studies, pastoral ministry, and communications. After being a pastor, he became a technical and freelance writer. In his day job, he’s documented technology products (ranging from building automation to satellite communications). In free time, he’s written articles, stories, and poems on a variety of (usually spiritual) topics. He believes in following facts and faith, understanding other perspectives, preserving the earth, protecting the vulnerable, and saving the world (or at least trying to). For more writings, see cinemaspirit.info.