January 17, 2011
Why do we have to fix things?
Recently I was in the doctor’s office with one of my sons who had an accident while sledding in Atlanta’s “Big Storm of 2011.” He looked at his wound and then made a rather astute observation. He said, “It is already healing on its own. I am reminded of my college professor years ago who used to comment that sometimes patients are better off if we don’t do anything to them at all. We try fixing problems our way, but many times, the human body heals much better in spite of our best intentions.” I stood there in amazement, expecting the worst, most invasive procedures. Instead, I heard, “Do nothing.”
Business versus life
In business, we are trained (whether intentionally or not) to be fixers. If there is a problem, you fix it. That’s what you do. And if the problem is big enough, you form a task group to analyze and fix the problem. It has become the model for management in most organizations.
But how does that work in life? Sometimes people don’t want you to fix their problems – they just want to be heard. When someone says, “I need to talk through some things,” do you show up with your toolbox or “fix-it” kit, or do you show up with your ears? Granted, there are times when we are being asked to fix things, but sometimes the best tool is to listen. And interestingly, allowing the person with the problem to talk it out can oftentimes bring a much better solution without us really doing anything…but listening.
Personal spiritual life
Sometimes in my life, my “fixer” mode kicks in when I am not seeing the big picture of what God has in store for me. I can become impatient when I don’t see things turning out the way I planned, so I get to work, trying to fix things to work out “my way.” But God has a way of pointing out that He has a better plan if we would just put our faith in Him. I can almost hear God saying now, “My way is much better in spite of your best intentions. Trust Me.”
Takeaway
There is a place for Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor in fixing problems – our world has turned into a service industry where people make a living fixing others’ problems. But sometimes, people and God need for us to be human BEings and not human DOings.
