Let the Manufacturer Do the Repairs

We own an inexpensive laminating machine in our home. Unfortunately, I dropped the machine and although it will still function, the body is not put together properly. Because of this, the laminated sheets do not always line up when exiting the machine and can become crumpled, ruining the project.

Making a feeble attempt to put everything back together has been extremely frustrating. Examining the placement of all the parts, it appears that everything should easily fit. But when one portion of the machine lines up, the other side is out of alignment.

During my meager attempts to repair the laminator, several things have become apparent. Among these was my inability to fix it and the necessity to allow one who can.

Even with my limited knowledge, I know what the outside of the machine should look like and how everything should run. The laminating sheets go in on the back paper slot and come up the front completed. Once inside the plastic cover of the machine, I am totally out of my element. Mechanically minded would not be a description that someone would use for me. It is a fairly simple device and the proper location of its parts seems fairly obvious. Unfortunately when one part is properly placed, other parts become slightly out of alignment and the case will not snap shut. Then attempting to adjust another part causes either my first part or yet another to move slightly out of place. As the case nearly shuts, the amount of light is reduced making it even more difficult to see what is still wrong.

The manufacturer knows exactly how this product is put together. A trained technician could reassemble the machine, snap together the outer casing and have everything running properly in a matter of minutes. This technician would know exactly how each part of this machine was originally put together. Any misalignment would be obvious when compared to the original assembly. Knowing the proper positioning of all of the internal parts would make reassembly far simpler.

Our lives are often like that laminator. After we have come into a relationship with Jesus Christ through His grace and faith in His completed sacrifice, we are to allow our Creator to realign and repair all of our inner parts. God knows how He has created us. Nothing is a surprise to him nor is there anything he cannot see clearly. “Even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb.” (Psalm 139:12-13 AMP)  He is fully capable of making all things fit together by His power. “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]” (Ephesians 3:20 AMP) We cannot repair our lives, but God can easily make all things right.

Later, while getting ready for work, I found myself behind schedule. I wondered what had caused this delay in my morning routine. It was the hour plus that I had spent futilely attempting to repair my laminator that had caused me to get behind on other tasks that were truly important.
So often we find ourselves trying to fix the problems that we see in ourselves, but in reality, only God can fix them. We spin our wheels and waste our time to come up with half repairs. Some of this time that we had wasted could have been better used getting about the work that God has for us. We must let Him repair the pieces of our lives as only He can. “…With men [it is] impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”  (Mark 10:27 AMP)

Then, like the laminator, we will be able to serve others easily and completely after we have allowed our manufacturer to realign the deepest inward corners of our hearts. We must allow Him to line up all things, good and bad, in our lives. “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”  (Romans 8:28 AMP) Spirit, soul and body we will be able to serve wholeheartedly and love all around us. While we are in the process of being fixed up by our God there may be some snags, but He will make all things well in his time. He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a AMP) we do this confidently, knowing “… that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6 AMP)

 Do not waste your time or energy trying to pull together the pieces of your life and make everything look good on the outside. Allow God, who has created you, to heal and restore your life.