The Dents Along The Way

We all experience the trials and tribulations of life, they are (some would say unfortunately) the way in which we grow, gain wisdom and better ourselves.
I am reminded in this context of a quote from Homer Simpson, "marriage is like a car, you get dents and dings, and America can't build one that lasts more than five years". Now I wouldn't agree with the last part, but this is definitely a good way of viewing how we go through life. How we deal with the dents and dings in our own lives determine the type of person who we become.


So how does this compare to our relationship with Christ. Hebrews 4:15 says "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
In our relationship with Christ, it is natural to feel that we are not hitting the mark, that we have fallen short or that we do not Christ has let us down. Well, Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, that he was the worst of all sinners, and that Christ came into the world to save sinners him, and us. This being the case, why should we look at ourselves as being any different from Paul? And since this is the case, why do so many Christians continually feel that their relationship with Christ is not in the place that they want it to be.


Like any marriage or relationship, you get out of it what ever you put into it. Our Christian walk is the same, Jesus is not looking for people who only want to go to him when they are having problems. He wants them to come to him in all circumstances and situations.


So what am I getting at, what can we take away? I would challenge each and everyone of you to not just give God a mention here and there in your lives, but to allow him to completely mould you in every situation faced on a daily basis. Not just when you face challenges with family and friends, but with education, driving, getting up in the morning, paranoia, delusions, worries of all kinds. As Hebrews tells us, Christ can sympathise with us no matter what we face. Quiet time is not just for you to read God's word and get something so you can face the day, it's for God to speak to you, to point out where you are going wrong and move your heart to correct yourself.




By Peter J.T. Clark.