Not a Fixer Upper

A vein running deep through our world is the concept of “fixing” stuff. We surround ourselves with television shows, magazines, books, seminars, and social media that all thrive on teaching us how to make everything around us better. Our minds swarm with ideas and innovative ways to make dinners taste better, houses look spectacular, communication more efficient, technology more effective, and the list goes on. Improvement is such a good thing; but as humans we sometimes take good things a little too far.

In my own life, many examples exist of applying the “fix it” mentality in all the wrong ways. Lyrics to a popular Disney song bounce around in my head as I make that statement, “He’s a bit of a fixer upper, but we know what to do. The way to fix this fixer upper is to fix him up with you.” My poor husband; I spent years of my marriage thinking it was my job to fix everything I perceived to be wrong with him. To be honest, it’s still one of the biggest struggles in my walk to overcome. “Fixing” to me is such a good thing and, in my mind, always done with the best of intentions. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a shaking from the Lord to remind me that people fixing is not in my Christian job description.

I used to think if someone didn’t tell my husband what needed to be improved, then he would never know about it. He’s laughing if he’s reading this, because I probably told him something this morning that I thought needed to be improved. I’m telling you; It is still such a struggle. The difference between 20 years ago and today is the Lord. Over the years, God opened my eyes to the “fixing” needed in my own life, and His conviction stops me in my tracks most of the time.

When I apply fixing to a person, I am judging. Jesus tells us in Matt 7:1 (NLT), “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged…the standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about the speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” I just got done saying I can’t even get my “fixing” under control, so who am I to try and fix someone else? Romans 3:10-12 reminds us that there is not even one of us that is righteous or good. We are all a bunch of filthy sinners. It’s not our job to change people…it’s the Lord’s. He is the only good and righteous one. He is the only one who can judge without being judged.

The song goes on to say, “We aren’t saying you can change him ‘cause people don’t really change. We’re only saying that love’s a force that’s powerful and strange. People make bad choices if they’re mad or scared or stressed. But throw a little love their way and you’ll bring out their best.” I only bring up the rest of the song to say that Disney got one thing right- the love part. As Christians, we know that people can change. We also know that none of us can conger up the kind of love that will create that change. Only God’s perfect love can change us and others.

So, what’s the “fix”? It’s prayer! In those moments where I feel the desire to open my mouth, I need to stop, repent of my judging and ask the Lord to overflow me with His love. I promise you that the Lord answers this prayer. It may take a few, but I have never earnestly prayed this way and not watched amazing things happen. Like the song says, love changes. God’s love not only changes others, but it changes us as well.

Lord, thank you for loving us even on our gross days. Thank you for the ability to lay our sins down at your feet and walk away clean enough for You to still use us. Thank you for considering me worthy enough to share the fruit of Your Spirit with others. Fill me overflowing with Your love. In Jesus’ Name.