Roadwork Frustrations
We live near the intersection of two major roads. This month they are re-paving both roads. ALL day and ALL night. It's crazy. It's loud. And we are living in a constant cloud of pavement dust.Traffic is always backed up as they try to squeeze four lanes of traffic into a one-lane pass through. Yesterday my friend and I were trying to get home but the Policeman wouldn't let us turn into our street. We tried from several directions but he kept sending us on. "But we live RIGHT THERE!!" We were screaming out the window. His answer: No left turns. So we weaved our way around the area so we could approach our street with a right turn. It was so frustrating!!!Something major was happening last night. I almost expect to walk out and find a fully finished road. ALL NIGHT we could hear the grinding shout of old pavement being removed. The sore-throat-sounding buzzer screamed out by dump trucks in reverse. The hot angry grumble of the new pavement being laid inch by inch.Loud. So loud. All night.Ugh. How much longer do we have to put up with this inconvenience and life interruption?This morning I hear God speaking to my heart.Each of God's children needs major road work throughout life.When a person gets ground down, refined, cleaned, and rebuilt... there is an effect on the community of people around them. Their journey can be an inconvenience to me. It can be exhausting to be around them. It can be frustrating trying to go about my business but being affected by them.As a daughter of God am I willing to put up with the inconvenience and life interruption that comes when someone in my community is in a season of overhaul?The end result is like a beautiful new road: fresh, strong, solid, equipped and purposed. The road work in our lives is by God's Hand and for His Glory. Who I am to get frustrated by it?! Wow. God is pointing out my selfishness today. And I'm inspired by this correction. Afterall, I sure want to receive loving support and understanding in my reconstruction times!!So today I'm praying for God to fill me with new patience and wisdom as I live in my community. My "part" of the Body is not just about my function. I exist to support the rest of the Body. In each season there will be parts of the Body being healed and transformed. On this earth, in this age, I am EVERY DAY a part of a Body that is limping and needs support.
Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts that should not be seen, while other parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 1 Corinthians 12:20-26
Being transformed by God is an essential part of our sanctification journey! The church is (should be) the place where Grace flows in power and Mercy is our default.Ok Holy Spirit I hear you speaking to me: Be patient. Be supportive. Be an advocate of the road works of lives.Mmmm. That is good.What about you? Anyone in your life that is in a season of reconstruction? How do you extend Grace and Mercy and support to them?Want to read through the Bible with me? Today's readings are: Psalm 86, 87; John 21:1-25