Better Together: Connecting With God And Each OtherSample

According To His Good Purpose

I am a fixer. Strength Finders gives it the more acceptable title of “Maximizer.” But the truth is I like to fix things. Not cars or electronics, but problems and obstacles. In fact, when someone is sharing a problem with me, my mind is often off and running on how to fix it before they even finish talking.

My guess is that you are a fixer too. It is human nature: see an obstacle and fix it. History is littered with courageous people who saw an injustice, a need or a problem, and became famous for their fixing.

Fixing isn’t wrong. The problem is when the fixer in me rushes ahead of God because I know how to handle this one. One of the greatest struggles in the journey to dependency on the Father is our need to fix things.

Sarai was a fixer. In Genesis 16 we see that Sarai has decided she knows how to fix her problem of infertility. She sends her servant to sleep with her husband, Abram, and conceive a child. No need to bother God, he promised us a child and since he doesn’t seem to be moving fast enough, I will take care of this problem.

Seems a bit extreme as we read the story, but can't you see yourself treating problems in the same manner?

Of course, it all goes wrong for everyone involved in this plan. Sarai is jealous, Abram is unsure of what to do, and Hagar (the servant) is mistreated and cast out, pregnant and alone. Ever had a plan of your own doing go wrong?

I love Hagar’s response in this story. Wandering alone and guilty, she hears an angel of God speak to her with encouragement and instruction. Hagar says, “You are the God who sees me. I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Gen. 16:13)

The God who sees. The One who sees me. The One who is at work in the world. The Creator is the One who sees me! How much more equipped is he to be the “fixer” of all.

Reflections:

• What areas of your life are you trying to fix without depending on God?
• Where have you seen God work for his good purpose in your life?