The Unfixables — 1 Peter 4:8

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1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) — Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

What it is speaking to me

I fit the stereotypical “dude” thing that makes you want to fix broken things. Something’s broken… it needs fixin’. Then you get married and realize that not everyone wants everything fixed right away. Sometimes fixing something is just listening, not “fixing it” immediately. (Just some free marriage advice for my male readers there...)

Whether you are married or not, you probably have people in your life you wish were just a little different. You wouldn’t necessarily say they are broken, but they may seem like they need a little “fixing.” The problem is, people aren’t like objects; you can’t just fix them by picking up a screwdriver and going to work. In fact, I suspect that if you tried that literally, you might be reading this devotional from the back of a cop car…

We can’t fix people. Believe me, I have tried. Hard. You probably have too. Has it worked out for you? Growing up is realizing that, in the final analysis, I can’t really fix anyone; only the Holy Spirit can. I can testify to the truth, and I can love. Deeply.

How deep? Deep enough that we give up trying to fix them and simply love them. Deep enough that it covers legitimate brokenness, even sin. Deep enough that you can demonstrate the love of Christ to them and perhaps create an opportunity for God to “fix” them. That is pretty deep.

The question really comes down to this: Do we truly love them, or only the idealized, “fixed” version of them?

I know how I want to answer that question.

What is it saying to you?

How do you feel about fixing people?

How do you demonstrate deep love for someone else?

How do you cover over without compromising truth?

What are we going to do about it?

Think about that person in your life you believe needs fixing. Love on them today. You don’t need to fix anything. Just show up and cover them with love.