We Want "Fix," He Says, "Follow"

Manna for Melancholy Devotional


We cannot always fix, but we can always choose to follow.
So many years of trying to "fix" life. Fix relationships. Fix sorrows. Fix anger. Fix disappointments. Fix my busted heart. The list goes on and on.

Yet, Christ invites us to follow him time and time again. Following is what a child does as her mother holds her hand to cross the street; holding hands is how she gets where she ultimately needs to go. Holding hands means safety and progress across the busy road.

You may be discouraged today, feeling helpless to fix a problem in your life. May I encourage you that your Savior has beckoned you to follow him through it? For every cry of "Fix!" in your life, Christ reminds you to simply, "Follow."

What does it look like to follow your Lord's leading through the twists of the problem you're facing? It may not look like arriving at tidy, efficient answers. It may not look like quick fixes, either. In fact, it might look like a mess for a good long while.

But it will also look like Him holding your hand to cross the street safely. It will look like basking in His grace and believing in His promises. It will look like Him carrying the heavy burdens while you take the easy yoke. It will look like choosing childlike faith—and even that, he will help you to do. We cannot always fix, but we can always choose to follow.
"And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
Matthew 6:30-33 NIV