Micro Managing

Traveling around as much as we do, we have the opportunity to experience different places, cultures, food, and entertainment. We are very blessed to be able to afford a decent place to sleep and some pleasantries that create special memories in each of our destinations. To keep the costs reasonable, we are prone to cart around a 12-volt cooler and an ample basket, each filled with easy and often healthier food options than many fast-food restaurants offer. Most of the hotels where we stay have a microwave to allow us to quickly fix the foods that need heating. As grateful as I am to have that convenience, it is amazing to me how varied are the buttons, dials, gizmos, and screens to use almost any microwave one can encounter.

One would think that there would be a standard procedure to run an average microwave, but even models that exist only to heat certain foods all seem to operate differently. It is common for it to take me much longer to figure out the steps to start the “magic box” than it will eventually take to do the heating. It makes me wonder if there isn’t some mischievous thinktank somewhere that tries to come up with the most diverse way to run the latest, greatest microwave oven on the market. I suppose it is one of those things that keeps us thinking, but I’m pretty sure that even some sort of degree in technology does not guarantee an easy approach to quickly prepare a nice hot meal or snack. The function of a microwave is certainly complex, but so is the often-elusive procedure to get it to work. After a while, the much easier option is to just make a cold sandwich.

I’d like to contrast that process to the simplicity of salvation. It doesn’t take a number of complicated steps to be able to receive God’s most precious gift to us. He has done all the work, and our part is just to believe in who he is and accept his forgiveness and the grace that brings redemption. He offers this gift to anyone of any status, children and adults alike. In fact, Jesus said, “‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 18:3, ESV). Why? Because children depend on others around them for their well-being. They need protection and display trust in those who care for them. Jesus offers a caring, loving relationship to those who exhibit that same kind of trust in him, and he promises it beyond a lifetime into eternity. The Bible often refers to salvation as a mystery; it is a complex matter that required Jesus’ giving his life for us to retain ours. Salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4–7, ESV). But there are no difficult or elusive instructions for us to be assured that he is our God and he has blessed us with abundant life forever. One of the interesting things about receiving his gift is that God does not micromanage our choice—he gives that freely to us so that we will do it out of love and in faith, and choosing him will be a decision we make on our own.

Many of you who are reading this newsletter likely have made a confession of faith in the Lord Jesus, and like me you are tremendously grateful for the sacrifice Jesus made and how simply he has supplied his gift to us. But, if that is not something that you have been able to believe and receive thus far, I would encourage you to read God’s Word, specifically in the Gospels, pray, and ask his Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you. If as a believer in Jesus you know someone who is not in relationship with the Lord, ask God to give you the opportunity and the words to present a clear and simple avenue for that person to receive Christ. Remember that it will be the work of the Holy Spirit to seal the deal, but we can be the bearer of the Good News that will plant seeds of hope into another’s life.

Meanwhile, I will trek on and continue to accept the challenge of running the next microwave I encounter. It is almost a guarantee that it will not be an easy task. If all else fails, please pass the peanut butter and jelly!

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