Recently, in a conversation with a
close friend, I shared that I have been greatly enjoying the soap box that
Pastor Dennis has been on for the past couple of weeks. Before I could go any
further, her facial expression stopped me in my tracks. Her face had twisted up
in disbelief and disgust. Of course, I then asked what was wrong. She proceeded
to tell me how rude it was that I had used the phrase “soap box” while
referring to the messages my pastor had been delivering on Sunday mornings.
I was stunned. Dumbfounded. Never had
I meant for this phrase to be a negative one. But it led me to some pretty deep
thinking. Two words compose this phrase; soap and box. I spent time pondering
both words individually. When I think about soap, I think about cleanliness.
Sweet smells, renewed freshness and a crisp mental satisfaction in knowing my
hygiene has been restored are all a part of my considerations of soap. The word
box has a different connection entirely. Boxes! They hold things. They’re
stackable. Often times, one might even flip a box upside down in order to stand
on it to grasp something out of their normal reach. Boxes are sturdy and
strong.
Now, put the two together. After researching, I learned that the earliest
use for the term "on a soap box" was in 1907 when people would stand
upon the wooden crates used to transport boxes of soap in order to preach or give a
speech on a public street corner.
In my eyes and in my understanding, I had used this phrase with
great intentions. To me, the messages that have been preached here lately have
completely rocked my heart. God’s truth has shaken my foundation and challenged
me in many ways. Because of that, I will continue to use the phrase “soap box.”
Our pastor has been standing up in order to insure that his voice reaches all
and has been sharing Truth that has the power to cleanse and restore our hearts
and minds. If that does not perfectly fit the description of an authentic soap
box, I don’t know what does. And so I raise a challenge for us all: Let us step
up onto the soap box of Christ and share the truth of the Gospel until all lost
are finally found.
In His Love,
Brittany Jade
