"Unexpected Fixes"

 

“Unexpected Fixes”

 

While in high school our son Dave was driving through town and was stopped by a police officer because our car’s tail lights weren’t working. He was cited but there was a grace period for repairs and no blot would be on his license. When the problem was corrected the next day we were surprised that the gas gauge, which hadn’t worked for some time (we only ran out once), began functioning again. Recently our dryer wasn’t doing its job as quickly as it had been and we left a message for a service man which was never answered. But when our roof was replaced in early November the dryer started working normally. In both cases these “unexpected fixes” kept us from further frustration and expense.

On the other hand, a teacher in high school told us of a friend who fancied himself as an all-around handyman who installed a new doorbell at his house which worked perfectly—but only if the light in the attic was left on! (Sounds like Tim Allen’s character on “Home Improvement!”) So sometimes there are also “unexpected unfixes”.

God often does His fixes in unusual and unexpected ways. He used 300 soldiers commanded by Gideon armed with trumpets and empty jars to rout the Amalekites (Judges 7); Joshua’s leadership of the Israelites in their silent march around Jericho thirteen times, shouting and seeing the city’s walls collapse (Joshua 6); and Joseph’s brothers’ selling him into slavery in Egypt to save his family (Genesis 45:1-5). God said through His prophet, “…My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways….” (Isaiah 55:8). So it’s not our job to question—God wants us to trust and obey Him.

One of the most fascinating, comforting and helpful passages in Scripture tells us of how God works through unlikely means: “You don’t see among you many of the wise (according to this world’s judgment) nor many of the ruling class, nor many from the noblest families. But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise; he has chosen what the world calls weak to shame the strong. He has chosen things of little strength and small repute, yes and even things which have no real existence to explode the pretentions of the things that are—that no (one) may boast in the presence of God,” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, PH). In other words, He’s called people like you and me to be His “unexpected fixers”. What a privilege—and responsibility! Will we give ourselves to this calling?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan