Fixing

Just watched two things that remind me that I have a propensity, like most males, to fix things. Think about it for a minute. We are somehow wired to think that "problem presents, we the solution intend" (I just made that up, and I realize it is not very good). I still find, even after realizing that I cannot fix anything ( truly), that I default to a valiant attempt. Whenever some situation arises that brings conflict, I jump to attemt a devised solution.

I am talking primarily about relational things. But the premise works just as well for the projects that come with home ownership and the like, and the result is the same: takes exponentially longer than originally planned, and usually requires multiple trips to a store to get supplies, tools or advice. In the end, it may, just maybe, turn out right. This is one of the primal plots of TV and movies. The show establish a basic story line, introduces conflict, then spends the remainder of the show developing, presenting, then implementing the solution, and resolving the conflict.

Cynth and I just finished "There is No Place Like Home," the first episode on disc four of season four of Lost. But before that I was watching a few minutes of "The Dark Night.". Each of these do not hide the reality of a main character's need to fix things. In both, the need is consuming. Neither have learned to control it, although in the latter example, Batman does not appear to be motivated out of the need, as does Jack in Lost. Regardless, both recognize in varying degrees that their need to fix things cost them dearly in ways they would not choose if they really had a choice, which they, in reality, do.

Reminds me of other choices connected with fixing things: Abraham and Sarah taking matters into their own hands to protect Sarah, and later to provide an heir, when they could no longer wait on God; Jacob and his mother as they sought to supplant Esau and thus preempt God's design for his favor to Jacob; King Saul as he offered a illegal sacrifice because he was afraid; David in his choice of idleness to sin against God with Bathsheba, then his decision to kill Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba. But there is another choice made to fix things.

God provides a story that begins with his working creation and the consummate relationship with his creation through Man. But conflict came in the willingness of Man to choose not to trust God's word. So by the one man sin entered the world, and from that point forward in the Bible, we read of conflict after conflict and Man's attempt to fix it.

But God had a plan to fix it, one not requiring any supplies save of himself in the person of Jesus the Son, to live the perfect life of obedience to God that we could not live. His plan required no tools, except people to carry out his design in the betrayal, trial, humiliation and the cross - the instrument of his sacrifice. So God's word was made flesh and dwelled among us, introducing the kingdom of God to us and living out a life of obedience, submitting himself to the will of God the Father, even to death on the cross and the wrath God poured out to satisfy his justice, in mercy toward us who were deserving or his wrath as his enemies.

His fix was to realize his justice for the rebellion of his prize creation, the one created for relationship with him by providing the payment for the wrong committed against him through his unfathomnable love toward us. This fix is the only way to satisfy our need to fix things for it frees us from our constant need to feel worthy - our worth is in who we are in Christ alone. It gives us new life in him as adopted children and heirs with Christ for our glory in eternity, and through it we have assurance of our hope in the life everlasting . . . not life as we know it now, but life as it was meant to be, from the beginning with no more brokenness. And all we have to do for this release is to repent of our sin and accept his freely given grace to salvation, mercy to persevere, and peace for the life of following and trusting him in the midst of the storm. This is where we are, where we are called to be. How about you?

Treatment number ten is under way with the usual side effects experienced thus far. Still on the antibiotics through Saturday, then a dentist visit on Monday to hopefully take care of a small area of infection by way of a root canal. God is still sovereign and good, for we see him in all these events of our lives. I know he is using these circumstances, even the ones I try to fix, for his glory, the benefit of others and for my good. How wonderful that I get to play a part in his plan to fix things.

May his grace of unmeasurable love, his mercy of strength for the day, and his peace which passes all understanding be yours in the storms of this life.