Making Hinges Work

One of the blessings of my journey of unemployment over the last four months has been the time available to finish projects that I have neglected for years. For example take all those unfinished cupboards that my wife and I have collected over the last 10-15 years. They stood as monuments to my busyness and filled lifestyle. I've slowly been making up for that over these months. So far I have completed seven pieces that have produced a complete house of new furniture without the expense of buying new ones. Yea!

One of the many challenges I've faced with this "finishing project" has been the problem of hinges. I've discovered that hinges once taken off do not always necessarily fit back on the completed piece in a way in which the door fits. After several "challenges" I decided to mark each hinge as to where it went so I could get my doors to fit as they were meant. (My mother didn't raise any stupid children!).

I discovered that those hinges are vital to the proper fit of a door. For example, if it is off just a little, the door will not properly shut causing all kinds of other problems. The hinge pin is vital to the outside attachment fitting with the inside attachment. If is bent even just a little the whole setup doesn't go together (I know by experience!).

I've often pondered about my life in the same regard. Lately I seem to spend so much time thinking about the past and the future that my present gets lost in the mix. My past is filled with lots of victories, struggles, and perceived failures that seem to follow me like a pesty dog. My future seems so uncertain that I tend to dwell in the valley of worry and wonder where this journey is going to end up. I spend day after day planning for a future job, seeking possible ministry positions and strategizing. I take the hinge off, try to make sense of it logically, and then can't get it to fit back on right. Meanwhile the importance of the hinge pin of my present becomes insignificant and ignored.

That hinge pin of today is simply connecting with God and what He is doing in my now. That hinge pin is crucial because its what holds together the past and the future into a unique continuity of God's work. It helps to make the door and the cabinet fit together perfectly as it was meant to fit. When I walk with Him in the now as my focus I become so much more aware of what is really important about living. I lay aside my logic and control patterns and just enjoy being with Him. I let go of fears and past baggage and just enjoy being His creation. That means also walking with Him through the pains of today as well as the victoires.

My walk with the Master Cabinet Maker TODAY is the hinge pin that connects my yesterday and tomorrow. In that walk I can experience trust and peace by practicing moment-by-moment God awareness.

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now..." (Matthew 7:12 The Message)