Adobe Stock
The fly that made headlines at the vice presidential debate Wednesday night made me think of another fly that made the news recently.
An elderly man in France sat down for dinner when he spotted a fly, and his desire to eat in peace evidently got the best of him. He blew up part of his home while trying to kill the fly with an electric bug-killing racket, unaware that a gas canister was leaking in the home.
The reaction from the electric swatter and gas caused an explosion that destroyed his kitchen and partly damaged the roof. He managed to escape with only minor burns.
I wonder if the fly actually saved his life.
If the gas leak had gone unnoticed, the outcome could have been much worse.
A lesson on God’s timing
The man’s response to the pesky fly, although over-the-top, isn’t that unusual.
We often do the same with annoyances in our lives, often overreacting to situations that a calm head can resolve more easily.
I’m sure you can remember those times. We all have them.
What we don’t know is how many times those pesky situations are part of a larger picture—how many times they may make us late but ultimately save us from harm.
One particular instance in my life comes to mind.
Several years ago, my sister died unexpectedly, and my husband was on a business trip involving a several-hour flight. We were to leave immediately after he got home, but, for unknown reasons, no gates were available and his flight was delayed in landing.
We were late leaving and frustrated. Later, on our several-hour drive, we came across a deadly accident that had shut down the interstate in both directions. We both breathed a prayer of gratitude for God’s timing and protection, as well as prayers for those involved in the accident.
I would like to say that I am always more patient with the pesky distractions that always come, but I’m not. I try to be. I wonder how many times we fail to see how God has protected us through circumstances beyond our control.
I am learning that God’s timing is not always mine. But I can always trust him.
I’m learning that annoyances aren’t always as bad as they seem at the time.
And I can always trust God’s best for me.
See the bigger picture
Remember the Bible story in Mark 5 when the sick woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment was healed? There was a bigger picture going on:
A ruler of the synagogue came to Jesus, pressing through the crowds, begging Jesus to come home with him, as his daughter was at the point of death. Jesus went with him, but on the way, he encountered the woman who touched his garment and was healed.
Jesus stopped and asked the crowd who touched him, even though he knew the answer. He wanted the woman to step forward so he could commend her faith.
Can you imagine the angst the ruler had during that time? Having to wait for Jesus while his daughter was dying? Not knowing that Jesus was working during the wait?
During that delay, the ruler got word that his daughter had died. Jesus assured him, “Do not fear, only believe” (v. 36).
He went with the ruler to his home, and his girl was restored to life.
How many times do we see circumstances through our eyes and timing through our schedules while not trusting God is working all the time on the greater picture?
The Christian song says it best:
God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand,
When don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hand,
Trust His Heart.
Trust His Heart.
Next time a fly interrupts your plans, trust God’s heart.
Search
