Reset

I have taken on a little responsibility of managing a 7 unit condominium complex in Austin. One of the big things that has continued to be a maintenance issue are the oversized wrought iron gates. The arms that were originally put on the gates are too small to contain the sudden bursts of wind gusts that blow through, leaving the gates half opened and in need of a continued reset to get them back to position.  This has been a problem that we have dealt with for years, repairing and replacing seals, hydralic hardware etc.  And finally this year, enough was enough and we bit off the monies to invest in larger stronger arms to override the powerful winds that offset the mechanical workings. We had the new hardware installed just a few weeks ago, and as far as I can tell, no further issues and need for reset has been reported.  

We all have experienced reset issues, in disposals, air conditions, computers etc.  Just push a button, and let whatever device that is in limbo, reprogram the hardware and reset it back to an original position. Often times that is all that is needed to get something back on a working track, and it turns out to be an easy fix! But not so true in life.  I have experienced wind gusts in my life that have thrown me way off balance and have opened the gates of anger, shame, resentment, envy, disappointment, grief, and loneliness, just to name a few of my downfalls.  And sometimes and I wish that a reset was as easy as pushing a button, to get me back in  position of 

of peaceful countenance but that is far from being the truth. 

Human resets take time.  They are certainly obtainable but my meager arms of self determined help are not strong enough to keep me back in position.  Oh, they work for a while, but inevitably, as soon as I figure out how to get back in position another wind gust comes blowing through. I keep trying to stay in position and on track, but sooner or later I have to come to the realization that I need stronger arms. I have to concede and accept the fact that no matter how much effort I put into trying to ward off the situations that get me off course, I do not have the strength on my own to consistently prevail.  Only God does.

Life is always moving and blowing and going.  But the flesh does not have the power of the Spirit, not does it have the strength of the Spirit.  If any of us are to be able to stay on course in attitude,  word or  deed, we must belly up and and be willing to replace our lame attempts to ward off difficulties and trails of many faces and let God in His strength and wisdom operate the inner workings of our hearts and minds.  Just as those gates are huge and heavy, so are many of the adversities that we are faced with.  We don't have the wherewithal to stay in position on our own, and as long as we remain dependent on our own abilities, the gates of our hearts will be pushed open and our security of peace and joy will be compromised. We need the strong arms of Jesus to operate our gates.  He helps us to distinguish what codes of conduct and truth are accessible and which ones are not. He is the ultimate guard keeper of our lives, and as long as we are operating through the strong arms of Jesus, our reset buttons will not be necessary.  

Ok, this is a good analogy and an utmost quest, that we will ultimately achieve in eternal life,  but lets face it, though we would like to stay connected to the strong arms of God, we just can't achieve it on our own.  And we do need a constant reset in attitude, word and deed, and God knows that.  Imagine a small doorbell type button tucked away in your mind.  When you realize that the winds of whatever emotion have blown your heart and mind and gotten you out of a position of comfort and security, push that button and ring for God to come to your aid.  I don't want to minimize the call for God, but I know that the truth is that he wants us to call on HIm. He wants us to become so dependent on HIm that we hardly make a move without him.  The more we call on Him, the more able we are to exercise the faithfulness that is within us, and learn to be confident of the results.  God does pull through, he never fails and never falters, and nothing that has gotten through our gates is too big for Him to handle and defend against....and forgive.

John 10:9

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  

We all are in need of a strong armed defense, and God is there to protect us, defend us, guide us and keep us on track and in His position of peace.  All we have to do is call on HIm and trust that his presence in always with us.  

Dear Lord, What a blessing we have been given to know that your strong arms of grace and mercy are available to help us control the

gates of our lives. May we call on you and depend on you to guide us and give us wisdom no matter what the circumstances are that surround us. Amen         

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