When I was a child, we used to build model cars, boats and planes, from model car kits. It was quite fun to put them together, especially the better made ones. The cars had axles with real rubber tires and you could actually push them along the floor. Interestingly, one of our favorite activities after spending hours assembling these cars, was to get back about 6 feet and push them as hard and fast as we could over ramps that we had built, which were set in the middle of the floor. The cars would either make it upright or they would roll over and crash, often sending parts and fragments of their plastic bodies sailing into the air. Then we would get out the model cement and paste them back together. Sometimes they would get so dilapidated that we would get out our wood-burning kit and use the electric branding iron from it to melt parts together that could no longer be glued, sort of a “plastics welding” technique.
Eventually and inevitably the cars would reach a level of disrepair that was simply beyond any form of correction. Until then, the car went on a downhill spiral, starting as a shiny new vehicle with fancy paint and decals, to a nearly unrecognizable facsimile of itself, with melted together bumpers and doors. There was never really any thought, at least on my part, of how much work had gone into the car and how frivolously it was frittered away on seemingly useless stunts and crashes. Actually, the more dramatic the crash, the more damage done and the more flying parts there were; the better.
There are times when this story can relate to our life choices. We spend days, weeks, months, even years building and rebuilding ourselves to become more perfected in Christ, and then a day comes along where it seems like the choices we make are simply all designed to destroy all that we have built. Watching the parts fly off isn’t real gratifying the way it was for me to crash those model cars, but the real gratification comes in knowing that it isn’t me waiting in the wings with a tube of glue and hot wood-burning iron, but rather the Lord our God, the great Healer, Forgiver, Restorer and Provider that is waiting for us to turn from our ways and turn to Him.
There is healing in His wings. He is our strength and our salvation. The next time that you feel like you have your feet planted on a path to destruction, remember that the Lord did not build you up through the strength of His Word and Spirit in order that you should crash and burn. According to the Bible we will face fiery trials, but these trials will prove your character and strength in Him, not destroy it.
Life will challenge even the strongest hearts. Life is not always easy. Sometimes it is difficult and it is difficult for no apparent reason. In these challenges, find people who are willing to join you in the struggle, hold on, have faith, and watch the great Builder do His thing!
Blessings!

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