Trying not to fix things……

I have been travelling, and as usual my bag is too heavy with books- bulging at the seams. I end up with aching shoulders, wondering why I do this, and resolving never again to pack so much heavy stuff in my hand luggage. I need to learn to travel lighter.

Travelling lightly can have a deeper meaning too, as sometimes we get too emotionally weighed down. We get caught up in people’s stories, we take responsibility for things that are not ours, we try to shape things that are not ours to control. We can become exhausted, anticipating where problems might emerge, and trying to trouble shoot  before they happen. It can be wearying, and even worse counter productive.

Having good boundaries is part of the Christian life. Jesus called us to love others as we love ourselves. This means a balance between service and self care. We are to care for others, but not so that we become empty. We are to self care, but not in a way that becomes selfish and oblivious to the needs of others.

I have always loved the verse in Proverbs 4: 23 ‘Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life’ This means that we are to take good care of our heart, so it doesn’t become bitter or hard. We are to trust God, and to do what we can, but then leave it with Him. Our temptation is to try to tell some one what to do, instead of supporting them listen to Gods voice for themselves, to try to fix that difficult situation, rather than to watch and pray but know it is not ours to interfere with. Things are often so much bigger than we recognise. We are not responsible for the decisions or actions of others. May God grant us the discernment we need.

Eternal Father, before Your face, generations come and go, and yet the patterns of human behaviour seem set. We often want to do the right thing, yet end up doing the wrong. Lord Jesus, please have mercy on us. Sometimes we see suffering and pain, and we are tempted to try and put it right in our own strength, to fix things. Yet by doing this, we can enable bad behaviours, and nothing is learnt. Holy Spirit, help us know when to speak and when to be silent, when to get involved, and when to let things go. Help us not to be weighed down by things that are not ours. Help us truly guard our hearts, and grant us a healthy balance in life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.