Fixing Our Benches

We rely on things to hold us up; sometimes, we put too much into those things. Who do you rely on taking a minute and thinking? Often people lose themselves to those around them and the many expectations in life. We place things above or compare one another to earthly examples of perfection. When we trust the things of this world, we may feel the planks of our benches disappearing. All elements of this world can become weathered. They wear down and need attention to build back up. While earthly things are in disarray, putting our faith in them will be difficult. As these planks wear and break, often removed, they can leave our seat of confidence feeling less than sturdy.

When life happens, it keeps us guarded and aware that things might fall out from under us. So then, why do we put so much faith in words and people? People are great, but much like ourselves, they are imperfect and in need of repair. It’s not that we’re wrong to place our trust in others. We need to strive to develop relationships that will fulfill and rewarding. In doing so, relying on the things of this world is often futile, if that is all we trust.

To rely on something depends on it with complete trust and confidence. To turn on, this is the definition. Where are you putting your faith?

Now I believe some people in our lives earn and can provide a lot of our needs. Therefore, we trust and share our confidence in and with them. The point is, they, too, are from this world and are being broken down. Many are doing their best not to be in this world, coming from a very loving place. Perhaps they are trying to figure things out, just like you. The most important thing to look for in them, or better yet to nurture in one another, is the desire for Christ-centered relationships entirely relying on Him.

If we’re from this world and in constant weathering mode, we must seek the repair we need. When we no longer need to maintain or repair our Christ-centered lives, we break and will remain this way until we set our sights on God’s polishing.

What happens when we don’t apply a little polish? Well, my experience was that we get a little covered in dust. If it’s a little dust, we can almost brush it away. What happens when that dust builds up and becomes thick, greasy, even tarnished? Well, in these cases, my experience takes more elbow grease to get down to the shine.

We don’t want our dirt to get so immense from the lack of polish that we can’t find the shine. That would mean we might discard the very heart of who we are. We can always see our glow again if we rely on His polish, for His polish is perfect. It finds the shine in all of us, no matter how filthy we have allowed ourselves to become.

I viewed a video piece by Francis Chan. (I will attach it to this hub.) He addressed that our lives and relationships are all for the glory of God. Now I know we say we understand and state this, but do we get the meaning?

Why would I suggest extra readings?

Well, I could break them down for you. I could give you a short version, but this would not get you to take the time to sit down somewhere, away from things and away from all the distractions in this life, and read them for yourself!

I can only impress upon you that to go to the word of God on your own is humbling. It is also your alone time with no other relationship except the one that is constant. His teachings settle there in your thinking cap and plant themselves for later retrieval. They are His words to you. No person or thing can come between you and a relationship with Him if you maintain a focus. If you take the time, you will see those seeds take root in your relationships with others.

You see things more and your hunger for more. If you go to the Bible, He will speak to you. No one will be there to intervene in their impressions or understanding. He says, “If you seek, you shall find.”

So I am placing a few readings here for you to look up and read. I encourage you to spend time with them and see what happens in your life. What can it hurt? Is it just reading, right? Or is it?

What if you find it is so much more than what you thought? What if you see more than what someone else could see? You can see with your own eyes and hear with your ears, so then maybe you can speak with His word convicting yourself. How amazing would it be to bring that which you learn or read to others in your way? Well, if you go to Him as an individual, He will guide your future from all others. Your relationship with Him is special to Him, and he will hear you and speak to you as you grow in His word. God talks to all in His unique way, speaking so you can listen to Him and understand even without knowing. God makes it clear, so what’s the harm in trying a few readings?

Isaiah 26:4

Ephesians 2:8-9

2Peter 1:3

Why would I suggest extra readings?

It means that we are to rely on Christ alone. When we are doing this, all of our relationships, including our one with Him, made better. It is by faith and attention to His word that all other things will repair and made new.

Together, when we are working on Christ-Centered faith-filled relationships, it puts all other things of this world in perspective. We will falter on repairs, and we will need the Carpenter of all carpenters to fix our benches, but He and He alone will lift us.

I remember when my dear husband was putting a crib together for our first-born. I noticed some extra nuts and bolts left over when the task was complete.

I said, “Do we need those to be in the crib?” He said, “No worries, they always give you extras.” I trusted him, and I was so proud of his confidence in his work. Our crib was sturdy and never failed to hold our baby secure. Remember, God has your benches and your cradle; He is always ready to repair them when needed. He even has extra supplies when you break down. He is holding you and working on you. Rely on Him.