It was clear that the repair shop serviced us poorly. I was not a satisfied customer. How, then, should I reply? Should I complain? Should I explain in detail? Should I never go back? Should I ignore it and smile? None of these easy answers seemed adequate, and then I knew why.
In deciding what to do about the car, I didn't think about God.
"What would Jesus do?" would not suffice this time. Jesus, after all, is not an ancient, distant onlooker. He stands beside me every moment, witnessing every act, hearing every thought.
Eventually, I got it.
The repair should not rise as my first concern. I must act first in satisfying Jesus, my witness, my silent partner.
God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient, so do not be partners with them, for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light. Find out what pleases the Lord.--Ephesians 5:6-8, 10
I do not respond to the repairman so much as to my Lord. Frankly, the repairman doesn't care all that much. But God cares very much.
I not only live with sinners; I am one. And because we sinners constantly rub up against one another, we have problems. My job is not to try to make the problems go away or even to always try to solve them. My job is, however, to always respond to them within the context of godliness.
My car may eventually be made right. Or it may not. But if I respond correctly to God, I have pleased my Lord, and that, in the end, satisfies me.
Way to put things into perspective. Keeping an eternal mindset is so important, yet often so hard in the day to day living.
ReplyDeleteI like your response to this situation. Too many times we respond without giving enough thought to what God would think about it. Thank you for sharing this insight.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
This is soooo good!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing that He cares about the things that concern us? God bless you.
ReplyDeleteYes... yes. To look at all interactions through the lens of Christ. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThis is so good. Sure will make me think the next time I need a car repair. Hopefully, no in the near future!) :)
ReplyDeleteBut God can (and does) use any means in which to convey His truth to us.
Blessings,
Joan
God affecting our everyday circumstances, that's what this Jesus thing is all about. Good post.
ReplyDeleteThe issue for me isn't necessarily the when part but the how part that you write about. The when is constant, it's always. But the how part which should also be constant seems to fluctuate and change with each situation. This is a great topic to consider!
ReplyDeleteI found you from the Hear it on Sunday hop and am a new follower.
Understand what you mean about the how and, unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a pat answer. In this case, our how was to wait. Extenuating circumstances did not allow us to inject any corrective action. Sometimes, though, we have to square our shoulders and jump in. And other times, well, we just have to love our way through situations. That's where it's imperative to maintain that close relationship with Christ. We need His guidance to make it through or, when we mess it up, to fix and forgive. So grateful for that.
DeleteAnd thanks for following. My next stop is at the Life Size Catholic!