I run a small woodworking business. Mostly I build canes and small tables.
I have a shop full of tools that I use every day. These tools are fairly basic and for the most part I understand how they work.
However, every now and then, one of my tools does something that makes no sense. I struggle with it to get it to do what I want. I throw up my hands. Occasionally…….I say bad words to my tools. They don’t seem to understand.
Today it is a drill press that will not accept my changes to its speed control. As a last resort…….because all else has failed…..I will pull out the owners manual and read the instructions. I have no doubt that after reading the instructions and looking over the parts diagram, I will be able to work through the problem.
I can’t help but notice that the same process applies to the problems I face every day in my life.
Something goes wrong…….I get frustrated because the first two or three fixes that I try don’t work. I throw up my hands. Sometimes I say bad words.
Then……. because all else has failed……..I drag out the instructions.
For me, the instructions are contained in the Bible. Obviously, it’s a pretty big owner’s manual. The general public rarely refers to it. The vast majority of Christians have never read it cover to cover. Most Christians are vaguely familiar with a few passages.
But, I never encounter a people problem that cannot be solved by referring to it. The problem is that the solutions in the instruction book often go against my nature……against what my appetites demand. But, they work……..every time. Sometimes they don’t work immediately……..but, over the long haul they work……if I can just stick with them.
You probably have a people problem that you are struggling with today. If you don’t, just wait…..one will come up. I don’t expect you to pull out the Bible and plow into Genesis right now…….though it wouldn’t hurt.
So here is the Cliff Notes version:
The Holy Bible…….abridged:
Love God
Love your neighbor
Today I am struggling with a difficult customer. He may be a little confused. He definitely hasn’t read the information that I provided. He ordered a custom cane, returned it damaged, gave me a bad review, then ordered another cane in a different size and color. Now I have a voice message to call him. I suspect that he has a problem with the second cane. The protocols of the web site that I sell through are crystal clear. The cane is not returnable and is not refundable.
I want to scream “tough luck schmuckerooski!”
But, the owners manual says different:
Love him.
And that is what I will do…….. later this morning.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Jesus NIV
love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Jesus NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Jesus NIV