Fix It

I was reading the daily devotional this morning in Sarah Young's book Jesus Calling, titled "Problems Are Part of Life". I don't have anything particular going on that I want to, or feel a great need to, fix right now but after I read it, I thought this is something I need to pack away for one of those times that I do feel like I need to be the one to call the shots instead of letting things land as they may. And believe me I do have a tendency to get in the arena. I know that so many times God must be looking down from his heavenly place and saying, "If you will move out of my way, I will handle this in a way that is much more effective and lasting that if you do it."

The devotional contends that problems are "inescapable; woven into the very fabric of this fallen world" and that we go into problem solving mode all too readily, acting as if we have the capacity to fix everything. It is not only a frustrating habit but it distances us from God. Our capacity is limited, she says and we weigh ourselves down with responsibilities that are not our own. They are God's, but too often we try to take them on as our own.

You know, it is a simple concept, "trust God with everything". Let him be the focus of our day, of our decisions, our attitudes, of our perspectives. I write of it often, talk of it often , and truly believe it to be true but it remains a struggle to live within those bounds. Then as I sit here thinking about it, I have totally turned God's concept upside down and inside out to even think that his bounds are ever limited. It is mine that are limited. Do I trust him to fix relationships? Do I trust him to fix my woven dreams? Do I trust him to fix my children when they are restless or overwhelmed or having to make hard decisions? Or to grow up my grandchildren to be close to him? Do I trust him to hang with me all day each day? Do I trust him to fix the complications that I have managed to entangle myself into?

It comes back down to: It is all about God....life, existence, blessings, adversities, plans and purpose. God not only can fix us and fix our situations, but he is also able and willing to do just that. The play is in our hands...do we allow him the benefit of our survival. Do we look to him for direction through our prayers and recognition of his presence and authority?

I love the last line of this devotional: "Remember that we are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in the light of eternity." We, too often, sweat the small stuff and lose sight of the really big picture of eternity. We get caught up in the picky little struggles of control, and input and opinionated desires and lose focus and perspective that comes from God in all his glory and grace.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Luke 10: 41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Philippians 3:20-23 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Fix it? We can try, but we will always be limited in our efforts and our wisdom. Oh but if we give whatever it is to God that is broken or off track, he knows no bounds and is filled with compassion, direction and grace.

Dear Lord, I am so guilty everyday of trying to fix this or that or even someone. It is a wearing exercise that most times delivers very little merit. Please help me, everyday, to get a little better at trusting you and depending on you and getting out of your way so that you can be most efficient in your job to grow me up and bring me and others who I so love closer to you. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!