The Gate

You have heard the old saying, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. I would like to change that saying to this, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but if it is, get with it!” I say that mainly for my own benefit for I am guilty of letting broken things stay broken for too long. The most recent example is the gate to my back yard. For months the latch has been difficult to open and close. All it needed was a small adjustment, but it has been something that was easy to put off. Every day, two or three times a day I would go out that gate and think to myself, “I need to fix that”. As I said, this went on for months and months. Everyone who tried to use the gate would complain and wonder about the time line for fixing the problem. Well, I am glad to announce the gate latch is now in proper working order. Enter or exit with the simple ease of pushing the button. No longer will you have to push, kick, or bang your way in or out. Just push the button down and swing the gate out. It work just the way it was designed to function.

That is the way life is for most people, you have things in their life that need fixing or correcting and too many times you and I just learn to live with the brokenness in our life. You may or may not have anything major in your life that needs correcting or adjusting, but I can assure you that you have something in your life that needs improvement. Maybe you have a habit that you need to stop. Maybe some of your language is not what it should be. Maybe you drink too much or look at the wrong things on the internet. I don’t have to list all the possible areas for needed correction. I am pretty sure that each of you is aware of your own short comings, failures, bad habits, addictions, and selfish acts. Either you are self aware or someone who loves you has shared their concern for your life.

It has been my experience that most issues in life that need correcting or adjusting are simple things that have turned into a major issue. Just has the solution for fixing my gate had been a simple ten minute problem. That’s right, my family put up with a sticking gate for months because I did not want to spend 10 minutes to fix it. I know that my gate is a very small problem and it is not really even the point of this message, but it is a reminder to not put off those things which need correcting in your life. Make changes today.

You may need to be a better listener in your relationships with your spouse and children. Maybe you need to be more responsive to the needs of your family. Maybe you need to be a better boss or employee. Maybe you need to be a better neighbor or friend. Maybe you need to spend more time in prayer and personal Bible study. Maybe you need to focus on things that lead to holiness rather than the worldly. Maybe it is just a matter of putting first things first in your marriage, your family, and your spiritual growth.

So that a look around or take a look within and make yourself a to-do-list for self improvement. There are things in your life that need fixing, improving, correcting, adjusting, starting or stopping. Make your list today and then (and this is the important part) GET WITH IT!

Love God. Go Love Others.