The Ultimate Restorer
Joan Reiff
Jesus is the Ultimate Restorer. His death and resurrection power belong to us. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Advocate. Matthew 10:34-42 relates that Jesus came to divide families with the sword. That sword is truth. Truth brings the restoration or division. That sounds pretty hard in today’s soft approach solutions to our lives. But the soft touch doesn’t always bring restoration. Truth does. Jesus blends these concepts of restoration and division. When we observe Him at work in other people’s lives we see this happen.
A cook knows that proper blending of foods produce good meals. A teacher knows that the blending of the classroom requires preparation, training, strategy and constant alertness to the nuances of each student at all times. Blending families requires lots of determination to succeed, and this same alertness. The dictionary says that to blend is to mix and mingle; to mix thoroughly; to merge; to shade gradually into each other, as colors; and to harmonize.
In aligning ourselves with the Lord Jesus, we may indeed be separated from loved ones, family and friends. But by aligning with Christ, making Him Lord of our life, we find real living. We are no longer lost. We are new creatures in Christ. We are restored to Him. We can begin the ongoing workings of restoration.
Sometimes families and children can be restored. Sometimes they cannot. There is the fact of other people’s choices. So we give God the situation and say, "God, do what You see best." Sometimes something good happens, sometimes bad happens, sometimes nothing happens. We learn to pray, "Be God, in their life. Please continually confront them with Yourself." We learn to add to that prayer, "Make my love for them grow so they only see You when they look at me." We learn to add to this prayer, "I take my hands off the situation and trust You to do what You want." Then we see restoration begin in their lives and in our own. Sometimes ever so slowly, sometimes instantaneously.
There seems to be a progression, or rather a digression of "our doing" and a progression of "His doing" His work. At this point we see the object of our prayers – our child, friend, brother, sister, aunt or parent, or even ourselves – having two reactions: nothing or change. Sounds simple, but suddenly it can turn quite complex. Either there is rebellion on one or more issues, or sweet submission to Jesus. With the rebellion, complexity begins. The rebellion can be hidden or exposed. It can be directed at oneself or at others. With submission to the Lordship of Jesus, the complexities of life are not self-centered, rather He is that Center. (The complexities may not disappear.)
When there is disharmony or pain do we ask for deliverance, or development? Deliverance brings relief, development is a process that makes us stronger. With surgery, pain medicine brings relief, physical therapy is the process that makes us stronger. It is the process of restoration.
The magazines and home shows on television show beautiful pictures and slick, clean articles on home, garden, and furniture restoration. Even your favorite china, when chipped or broken, can be restored with skill and patience. Why do we think of personal, and/or family restoration as impossible? Because we can’t fix it, no matter how hard we try. As parents, children, sisters, brothers, etc., we want to help and make life work for our loved ones. We can’t. We can’t fix it. We won’t be able to. But God can! We are His workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
We want an instant fix, but brokenness needs time for the glue to set, bodies need time for the bones to set, our hearts and souls need time to grow sturdy after they have been hurt. When the Lord heals He can heal instantly. No doubt about it. Sometimes, most times, the ongoing process of healing is as important as the health which follows the disease. It is in this area of time we must sit, maybe walk slowly, rest, read the Scripture and allow it to live in us, and work through all facets of ourselves. If we think we don’t have the time, the Lord will see to it that we do. Trust Him.
Some of us are broken so much that we need professional help. There are skilled counselors willing and able to help us. Some of us need medication to keep us "glued together" for our physical and mental health. The Holy Spirit is readily available. We have Jesus Christ in our lives, and all of His power available to us, and our loved ones will continue to progress.
Because most of us want it done "yesterday" we are not alert to all that is happening. It begins many times sooner than we are aware. We don’t recognize such baby steps! But as the days, and years, go by, we find His help has been with us and our loved ones. He will continue being our Restorer.^Joan’s husband, Wes Reiff, was on the first Board of Directors of His Way Ministries in 1970. Their friendship and prayers have been a blessing ever since.