Of Jesusand Duct Tape
Mary Ann Wilmer
My husband claims duct tape can fix anything. This sticky gray miracle patches pipes, waterproofs books, hangs posters, removes lint, quiets loud children (just kidding), etc. Sadly, I have the same attitude toward the assertion that “duct tape is answer” as I do to the bummer sticker slogan, “Jesus is the answer.” I am inclined to dismiss both as possibly true but trite. Over-use weakens aphorisms into mere cliché’s.
But Jesus really is the answer!
Christ DOES fill every gap and “fix” every real problem in life. I doubt many, if any, people would say they have witnessed Jesus clear a traffic jam, repair a leaky roof, create margin in a busy calendar, or change the behavior of an obnoxious relative. That is because Jesus seldom solves our problems by changing our circumstances. He solves our problems changing us instead. While we are stuck in the traffic jam, Christ gives us patience and reminds us to pray for those possibly injured in a collision. While we are still catching rainwater in a bucket, Jesus calms our worries and reminds of our skilled friend who works on roofs. Before our margin is gone, Jesus adjusts our priorities and gives us discernment about which activities to eliminate. Before our strange relative changes and becomes “normal” (i.e. more like us), Christ enables us to follow His example, to love the not so loveable and to leave judgment to God.
But what does this have to do withconflicts, disputes and peacemaking?
Everything!When conflicts and disputes arise, fear, covetousness and anger are the core problems that most frequently block the path to reconciliation, restoration and resolution. Jesus is the solution to all three.
Jesus dissolves fear. Fear compels us to launch preemptive attacks on others, build defensive walls, and fight for our own interests. Thankfully, “perfect love drives out fear.”[i] Jesus demonstrates perfect love. He isthat perfect love. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross proves that God’s love and provision know no bounds. "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"[ii] Because we know that God will take care of us, we can reject fear and walk by faith. We can follow Christ’s instructions to turn the other check, go the extra mile, and give the shirt off our backs.[iii] In mediation, this means we can confidently cooperate with the other party. We can courageously deny ourselves for the sake of reconciliation, trusting that Jesus will meet all of our needs.
Jesus quells coveting. People naturally want what they don’t or can’t have. We desire what others have, whether it is material goods or intangibles such as happiness or success.In reality, coveting accuses God of failing to meet our needs and wants. Jesus, however, reminds us that God’s provision is not just adequate, but always perfect.[iv] If God refuses to give us the six-figure income our neighbor enjoys, then such a salary is not in our best interest. The opposite of covetousness is contentment. Discussing contentment, Elizabeth Elliot cites Psalm 16:5: “Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup and have made my lot secure.” She observes that “[m]y lot includes the circumstances of my birth, my upbringing, my job, my hardships, the people I work with, my marital status, hindrances, obstacles, accidents and opportunities. Everything constitutes my lot. Nothing is excepted.”[v]In Christ, our lot is secure. His sacrifice secured our relationship with the Father who gives us not merely good gifts but the best gifts.[vi]
Jesus cools anger. Actual or perceived injustice breeds bitterness. Bitterness fuels conflict and contention. Paul commands believers to “[g]et rid of all bitterness, rage and anger.”[vii] In order to rid ourselves of these vices we must forgive those who have wronged us. Only in Christ can we successfully forgive others. The injustice Christ suffered far outweighs any injustice we may face. The Perfect One took upon Himself the punishment for the entire world’s sin. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”[viii] Jesus’ sacrifice reminds us of how we have wronged God and prompts us to humbly forgive those who have wronged us. Jesus’ Spirit gives us the power to forgive.
So Jesus really IS the answerand the remedy to every problem. He’s far better than duct tape. Duct tape works sometimes but it’s temporary. Jesus is always the perfect and permanent solution!
Mary Ann Wilmer is a friend of PeacePoint and a regular contributor to PeacePoint. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Davidson College and went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Religious Studies fromSouthernEvangelical Seminary in Charlotte. Mary Ann resides in Mooresville, North Carolina with her husband, Chip and their son, Luke.
[i] 1 John 4:18
[ii] Rom. 8:32
[iii] Mat. 5:38-41
[iv] Mat. 5:7-9
[v] Elisabeth Elliot, Be Still My Soul (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2008), 35.
[vi] James 1:17 with emphasis added
[vii] Eph. 4:31
[viii] 2 Cor. 5:21