When your automobile decides to take a leave of absence – to just quit going forward and comes to a complete stop in the road (nobody, not even the car was hurt) - and of course it had to break down at Christmastime – when you are trying to have a very merry season of celebration; spend your money well on on gifts and going to parties!! – there are a few ways you can react.
OPTION A – Totally stress out, kick your car, and leave it for dead, for good.
OPTION B - Panic, pray, and pretend to know what to do, how to fix it, and cary out your patchwork plan.
OPTION C – Know this this too shall pass and even more so, this is but a light and momentary distraction, inconvenience, dilemma, struggle and that the coming glory far outweighs any earthly problem, great or small.
To some, a broken down car is the end of the world – financially, practically, emotionally – and to others, it’s a little inconvenience – the money is there to pay the cost to fix it, they actually love their mechanic, and since financially and practically they are set to go, there emotions do not give out on them.
It does not matter which person you are – OPTION C is the best response to any situation, really – even your broken down, ridiculous, too cheap to fix but too expensive not to fix, car OR even your paid way too much and why in the world is it broken down perfect, almost new sports car.
OPTION C – to know this this too shall pass and even more so, this is but a light and momentary distraction, inconvenience, dilemma, struggle and that the coming glory far outweighs any earthly problem, great or small – is the best way because you have decided, as the Lord has worked Himself out in you, to love the Lord with your mind, heart, and strength. You know with your mind the truth of God’s word – that He is the Glory here and now and to come and forever more – that having Him is more than the worth of your car (thank goodness, right!?) – and that He loves you and He is the Provider – so He can and He will take care of you for your good and for His glory. With your heart, you have placed your trust in Him – not your money, whether or not you have a negative balance in your banking account or you have gobs of money stashed in your drawer PLUS a well to do checking and savings and secondary saving account; not your emotions – that either bolster your confidence or make your little heart fall to pieces anytime a slight problem comes along; not your great skill to patchwork together a plan – but your heart rests, trusts, and rejoices in the Lord. And also with your strength -that your knowledge of Him and your trust in Him is worked out as you interact with the tow truck driver, the mechanic – whether or not he is your friend, the attitude in which you pay the amount you owe the repair shop, and how you tell your broken down car story to your friends – you love others, you share how the Lord provided to fix your car and to pay for it too. And then, if your car runs after the repairs, you even drive to the glory of God.
What a beautiful way to live life – to realize that the light and momentary afflictions are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond anything we could ever imagine. To love the Lord through the humdrum, in the mundane, in the little silly issues, in the huge, life shattering problems. To speak and act in such a way that is thankful, loving, gracious, and gospel-centered. Even to share the sweet story of Christmas through your crazy car scenario. To know that the Lord is completing the good work that He started in you – that He started even before you, before the beginning of time and that God worked out through the Incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ – and that all He does is for your good and for His glory.
II Corinthians 4:17 “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…”
