The Right Part, Wrong Way

Last year the steering cable on our old jet ski broke and we ordered a part through e-bay. In the meantime the jet ski was taken apart and by the time the new part came I was scratching my head in how to get it back together. I had help from a friend and between the two of us our shared knowledge didn't add up to much. Neither one of us would be classified as mechanically inclined. After many attempts the part was not fitting. Anyway, after much time and frustration I woke up one morning with the thought that the part could be in backwards. Why, I didn't have this thought right away befuddles me, but maybe God had a lesson for me in patience yet knew I would never pass so gave up and finally gave me the answer to the problem. I think in reality it was an answer to my kids prayers to please let my Dad get the jet ski going before November! Anyway, the part was in backwards and the jet ski is in the water and being used by many people. It feels good to have figured it out.

I relate this story to the big adventure called life. God has purposed each one of us specifically to glorify him with our life. In Jeremiah 1:5 it speaks of how God knew Jeremiah before he formed him in his mother's womb and that he set him apart to be a prophet to the nations. In Acts 17:26 Paul speaks of how God ordained when we would live and where! Our life is made for the right fit and at the right time in God's kingdom history, but at times I feel like I am in backwards. Things don't seem to be working right and I need to make sure my heart, soul, mind and strength are turned in the right direction toward God. I am the right part but can be in the wrong way which hinders my performance, pleasure and peace in life. The only way I can get myself in the right direction (God's direction) is to apply Psalm 139: 23-24, "Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." God made me to be the right part in his creation and he has designed me for a relationship with him. The more I maintain my relationship with him the better I fit and keep from getting turned backwards in life. A jet ski part backwards is harmless, my life backwards can become hopeless. I thank God that he as the master mechanic can always figure me out.