Scriptural Foundation:
2 Peter 1:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Reflection:
When my step-son was younger he loved the Pixar film, ‘The Incredibles’. As with every five your old, he watched that movie so many times that he knew all the words by heart. One of the lines that has stayed with me all these years was when Mr. Incredible was asked about saving the world, he said, “No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. I feel like the maid. I just cleaned up this mess, could we keep it clean for ten minutes.”
I am fixer, it is what I do. I observe all the angles of an issue and then seek to solve the problem in the most amicable way I can. I love peace, the God kind of peace. This is the atmosphere my husband and I strive to have in our home, marriage, and relationship with our children. Despite the challenges that may come up, our “no strife” policy in the Word of God has kept us grounded. Sadly, it is when I venture into other areas of my life, I feel like my peace is constantly being threatened.
And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. – Matthew 11:12 (AMPC)
The world lives in constant chaos. Trying to accomplish a task for the betterment of the whole is like trying to clean up a section of an eight-lane interstate highway. You have a goal as to what you want to accomplish, but then the preoccupied people that are whizzing past don’t seem to see or care about the bigger picture. This can become discouraging. Similar to when you work diligently for or with someone, only for all your hard work to be “wasted” – plans change or directions shifted all because of someone’s ego and pride.
Beloved, I am not saying that change is bad…it is just messy. The motive behind our actions are either for peace or for strife. It is imperative in whatever environment you find yourself in, that you hold fast to your confessions of faith (Hebrews 10:23). I have concluded, that it is not my job to fix everything. As a mom, we carry the burden of being everything to our loved ones. This is not what we were created to do. We are vessels to carry God’s Word out into the world (to pour out in due time and in due season). If you are like me and feel like you are constantly “cleaning up” after other people and/or situations – stop and repent for your own pride. The Holy Spirit is the greatest fixer there is, He will fix your life and mine if we yield to the Potter’s hand.
The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Jeremiah 18:1-4 (NLT)
Stop striving in your own strength. Let go and let God and see not only your life come into order in all areas, but that it stays that way.
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- What areas of your life do you feel are out of order? Why is that? Is it something you are doing or is it a person/situation in your life causing it?
- What is your motivation in this area? Is it self-centered or God-centered?
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you have missed it and how you can get back on track.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:13-16