The Story: Under New Management
A little girl who, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, “Mummy, the Preacher’s sermon this morning confused me.”
The mother said, “Oh! Why is that?”
The girl replied, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s true,” the mother replied.
“He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?”
Again the mother replied, “Yes.”
“Well,” said the girl. “If God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn’t He show through?”
As we have worked our way through the Bible from its beginning at Genesis we saw that a perfect world was marred by the devil bringing sin into it. Unfortunately, where there was once perfection and perfect relationships now there was envy, greed, jealousy, discord and much more that is ugly. However, also in our exploration of the Bible we have seen that God has a plan to change things. That Jesus came into this world to put things right again.
Now we are three-quarters of the way through the Bible and find ourselves in the book of Galatians. Here the writer tries to show the difference that having God in control of our lives makes to everyday things, events and relationships.
In Galatians 5:22, 23 we read;
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
These wonderful qualities cannot help but make the world a better place.
Imagine what your household, your workplace, your street or your community would look like with more kindness or gentleness or compassion?
Paul is saying that if we are Christians the Spirit of God is available to dwell within us; putting us under new management, if you like. And, since God is bigger than we are, God’s going to show through.
Under new management does not mean that we become robotic people never putting a step wrong. Instead it is a recipe for how life could be better. The key is to let God into your life and ask Him each day to make you more like Him in all you do and say. He has promised the help of His Holy Spirit to do just that. Now surely that is a gift worth exploring and accepting.
