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Simon Peter answered [Jesus], “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” — John 6:60

There is a retired mechanic in the area who calls himself the “Honda Doctor”. Anything too old for dealers to fix he will.

One thing, though, he works on his own terms. He doesn’t need you but if you have an old Honda motorcycle you need him. He charges a flat hourly rate plus parts. Do his repairs take too long? Sometimes. Are the parts too expensive? Sometimes. Your only option is to either choose him to fix your bike or not and don’t tick him off.

God is like that in some ways. He works on his own schedule his own way. Does he take too long? Does he cost more than expected? Sometimes. Our only real option is to either choose him or not.

Fortunately for us he is good, loves us dearly, and works all things to our benefit.

The Honda Doctor doesn’t do that.

— fritz.

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“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me … To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 / Luke 4:81)

When they are put into the hands of Jesus, God replaces our ashes (burnt up dreams and missed opportunities), mourning (sadness), and spirit of heaviness (depression) with a beauty that’s enticing, a joyfulness that splashes onto everything, and an attitude of praise covering our struggles.

The phrase, “to appoint”, here literally means “to call” and the term, “Zion”, refers specifically to God’s people. The meaning is clear: followers of Christ going through sadness, grief, and depression are the specific candidates for renewal.

Expect it

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As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field. — Psalm 103:15-18

Ingrained in us is the desire to build/accomplish something permanent — isn’t going to happen! Life is not designed that way.

Only God and his purposes endure.

John the baptizer, in the Bible, uses an additional metaphor:

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly …

He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:29-30

The Best Man at a wedding knows the wedding is not about him and he’s happy with that.

As youth fades don’t be sad at the decrease, recognize your purpose and put the focus on the one whom life is, really, all about — our time comes later (Rev 19:9). Next time something you do, even with the best intentions, fails to produce results you want, offer those efforts, desires, and results as a sacrifice to Christ.

— fritz

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