“Work-arounds”

     Here’s something technical for you to think about: Sometimes, construction practices have the need for a low-density concrete to get some insulating value. The usual way to do this is with chemical additives that form bubbles when water is added. The problem is that the bubbles vary in size and they are weak and break down easily after a long time of vigorous mixing. There is a way of getting the same end result by a different process—add a tiny percentage of Styrofoam beads. They are controlled in size and resist breakage when mixed. They are called a “work-around”.

        What does all this have to do with Scripture? Well, there are choices and events that could be called relatively “small stuff”. Moses didn’t want to be the Lord’s mouthpiece so God let Aaron have that responsibility—a “work-around”. Paul had a “thorn in the flesh”—God said, “Work around it.”

        There are relatively “small” things in our own lives too. We prayed for a dry evening at Hallowe’en, but if it rained, God would have a way for us to work around it. We might pray that our house not be blown away in a hurricane, or consumed in a wildfire in California, or engulfed in lava in Hawaii. But, if it goes, God can still help us work around it.

        But there are other cases, that we would have to call “big stuff”. For instance, how could God relate to humanity best? Only by incarnation—no way around it! How could Jesus pay our infinite debt? Only by His death. How could He prove the debt was paid? Only by His resurrection—no work-arounds here!

        And so, for us, there is something with no work-around: “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:3) In fact, let’s take it to heart that, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12.)