"He Can't Be Fixed"

A few weeks ago, I found myself on an airplane heading home.  Those who have travelled on an airplane know it is close quarters as you wait for the plane to arrive at its destination.  I could not help over-hearing a conversation of two men sitting on the row behind me.  One man was telling a fellow passenger about his nephew.   The man had offered for his teenage nephew to live with him after he had gotten in trouble in his hometown of Ohio.  His mother was exasperated on what to do with her wayward son so she readily accepted the offer of her brother for her son to come to N.C.    Unfortunately, the plight of the boy did not change.  His destructive behavior continued even in the Tar Heel state.   As the conversation came near the end, the Uncle and airplane passenger sighed and said,  “He can’t be fixed.” 

All of us have our stories of people like that man’s nephew.  They are our co-workers, neighbors, family members, or persons in our church.     They are men and women, boys and girls who are in constant contact with trouble and destructive behavior.   The television news is filled with stories that are similar and often more alarming.     “He can’t be fixed.”  We lament that that young man or young woman cannot change their behavior anymore than a leopard can erase their spots. 

In the Book of Acts, we are introduced to a man named Saul of Tarsus.   He was a Pharisee of the zealous variety who went from town to town arresting individuals who were a part of a group called The Way.  We know that group today as members of Christ’s Church and as followers of Jesus.   The very mention of the name of Saul brought ire and fear to the hearts of many.   The Book of Acts tells us that one day as Saul was walking down the road to Damascus he experienced something he had never experienced before.  He encountered Jesus.  It had such a powerful effect on Saul that a man that could not be fixed became not just a follower of Christ Jesus, but a missionary for the Church.   No earthly figure could change or fix Saul;  only God could change him.  Oh, what a change that God brought to the life of Saul (better known to Christians today as Paul) and what a change God can bring to the life of people even today.   

I wish I could tell you the rest of the story about that man’s  nephew.   I cannot, but I can tell you that I am praying that somehow God will change him even as I pray that God changes me more fully into the perfect likeness of His Son, Christ Jesus.   That same God can change all who surrender their hearts to Him  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   O God, we pray for ourselves and all those who need your redemptive, transforming love.   Speak to them, and transform us more fully  into the image of Christ Jesus;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen.