Devotional | Kathleen Sercel | Apr 18, 2021

Being a Fixer

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Being a Fixer

I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

DEVOTION

I am a natural-born fixer. If there is something out of place or broken, I want to fix it. If someone is hurting or has a problem, I want to fix it. If I see an injustice, I want to fix it. 

That’s a good thing, right?

Actually, no. 

Why? Being a fixer can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and exhausting. It can lead to fear, worry, and anxiety, and it can shift my focus in the wrong direction.

What is missing? God! It is not about me and what I want to do or fix; it is about being centered on God, God’s will, and God’s purpose. God should always be the first factor in every equation. As Job tells God, "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

As I studied to become a Stephen Minister, the main thing I learned was God is the Great Healer—the ultimate Fixer. My role is actually so much easier. I am the hands and feet—the vessel God uses. God has directed me to love unconditionally, support, listen to, and point those I walk alongside to God, and to pray for those God has placed in my path. 

But the first step is to always be still, listen to seek God’s will, and have faith that God can do all things.

So, what have I learned? I’ve learned that I can choose to stop being a fixer and allow more room to fully embrace God’s will for my life and my actions. As a result, I am in a job I love! It took a while to get to this point, because I stubbornly kept doing things my way instead of yielding to God. I am privileged to be a part of a Human Resources team that gets to love, serve, support, and pray for the incredible folks Pastor Marty refers to so frequently: the staff of Crossings Community Church. What a blessing! I have learned so much from them on this journey.

What does a rubber band have to do with all of this? I have a very dear friend, a retired counselor, who used a rubber band as a subtle way to recognize and reset wrong thinking. It works like this: the rubber band is placed on your wrist. When your thoughts or actions stray in a direction that are counterproductive or negative, you gently pull and release the rubber band to create a little pop on your wrist. That gets your attention, right? The unpleasant sting serves as a reminder to stop what you are doing, reset, and refocus your thinking and actions.

To this day, I still use this technique. So, if you see me with a rubber band on my wrist, please give God a quick shoutout of thanksgiving and celebration for me, because you will know God’s grace and mercy are at work on the “fixer.” He is helping me refocus my thinking to “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable … excellent or praiseworthy ...” (Philippians 4:8).

The Bible has some great guidance for a natural-born fixer like me. Don’t you think?

PRAYER

Father God, 

Thank you for helping me live and walk in grateful joy for all you have done and are doing in my life. Thank you for your unending grace and mercy. Help me to always seek you first in all things, and keep my life and priorities lined up with your Word and your will. Use me and show me how to be your hands and feet to all who cross my path. 

In his name. 

Amen.

Kathy Sercel

Human Resources Manager

ksercel@crossings.church

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