This past week, I noticed the seat belt in my 240k mile work car wasn’t working as it should and I got frustrated not being able to get it to release so that I could get enough strap to buckle in. I finally decided to take it apart and see what was the issue, but couldn’t get it working, and decided to switch it with the passenger seat, since almost nobody ever rides in my work car. Well this didn’t work either, so I was left with my car torn apart and no working belts. I even used some WD40 to try to get things working better, but it didn’t seem to help. I decided to put the original belt back in to try something else and it seemed to work better. I reinstalled everything else and it was mostly back to normal, and in hindsight did 90 percent more work than was necessary. I suppose I could chalk the extra work up to learning a few things that I may never use again, but was also humbled a bit in the process. I suppose having a working seat belt may also be helpful if I ever needed it. Have you ever gotten into a project or problem and ended up doing much more than was necessary?
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Surely we encounter small frustrations each day, but are there other things we do that may seem unnecessary in the moment as well. Have you ever been reading scripture and thought “Oh that’s interesting, but when am I ever going to apply that in my life?” Even if we don’t think lessons learned in biblical battles or Jewish laws ever directly apply to us, the lessons learned from the lives and relationships and choices others make is not far off from the same things we face today. Human nature really doesn’t change much from one generation to the next, but opportunities and ways it can be abused, used selfishly, or used to help others may present themselves on a daily basis for us. In fact, you will likely make hundreds of choices today that impact your life and the lives of others in lots of little and big ways. Your intent and motivation drives your actions and whether those are more selfish or selfless in what you want out of it will guide the outcome. We don’t always choose the things we encounter each day, but we can choose how we react to them and in them.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
May you find countless opportunities to encourage and bless others as you go through this day, and in the process find joy and blessings as well!
Yours in Christ,
Clark
