Does anyone remember The Red Green Show? It was a comedy sketch show in the 1990’s and 2000’s that followed the antics of a plaid-shirted, suspender-wearing main character named Red Green, who could fix almost anything with a roll of duct tape. Throughout the show, Red Green would frequently address the audience with this statement: “If the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy!” This short statement summarized the whole satire of the show: that men should be capable of fixing anything.
As a teenager, I enjoyed watching The Red Green Show. It was fun to see the guys bumble about doing ridiculous things and attempting the impossible with a roll of duct tape in hand. As I grew older, I caught on to the subtle nuances of the show and became aware of the reality that great comedy is always based on some measure of truth.
Our Desire to “Fix”
We all want to fix things. God has wired us to identify brokenness and with an innate desire to see things restored. This is true not just in terms of our broken “stuff” and the broken world around us, but in our broken lives and relationships as well. Think about the first time you meet with someone for counselling, or when you sit with a friend who reaches out for help – what is it they are looking for? They are often stuck and looking for help. Something in their lives is broken and they long to see it repaired. After all, we live in a messy and fallen world.
The problem lies not in our desire to help but in our tendency to settle for quick and easy fixes. If we are honest with ourselves, we can probably admit to times when we have crudely applied spiritual duct tape to situations that require more patience, grace, and a gentle hand. Our motives may have been sincere, but our methods were lacking.
This is where it becomes important for us to properly recognize our role as the helper. We may have tools and resources – we may have skills and abilities – but we are ultimately not the counsellee’s repairman or repairwoman. If we want to see the job done right, we need to call upon the expert to do the kind of restorative work that only He can do.
Our Divine Repairman
Only God, through the work of His Spirit, is the one suitable to address our counsellee’s particular problem. Our job is not to fix, but rather to help the counsellee see and recognize the work of the divine repairman – His tools and His methods. I believe Jesus addresses this in John 15:1-2:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (ESV)
God our Father is always at work. For anyone that has tended a garden, you know how diligent you need to be – weeding, watering, and pruning are daily necessities for a healthy garden. What does this have to do with repair? I think Scripture shows us that the Father’s care for the vine goes beyond pruning – sometimes a damaged branch needs healing (Isa. 42:3). Thankfully, we know that our gracious Father’s tools and methods are far more precise and effective than duct tape.
God’s idea of repair is often much different than our own. Admittedly, we would be satisfied if God simply fixed our broken situations and restored things to the way they once were, but this is not the way God works. He has something different in mind – He wants to refine us in the process of restoring us. Anyone who has broken a bone knows about the miraculous healing properties of the body. When the bone heals, the location of the break grows back stronger than before. The same is true when we allow God to do His refining work in our lives – He not only heals, He creates strength out of weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
Keeping the Right Goal in Mind
Later in John 15, Jesus says these words to His disciples: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8 ESV). God is not interested in quick fixes or patchwork – He instead wants to heal in ways that show His glory through the fruit that is produced in restored lives. Repairing in this way brings about His glory, as those who are restored give testimony to His redemptive work.
The truth is that this process takes time. As counsellors, pastors, and friends, we need to challenge others not to settle for the quick-and-easy repair. They might be eager to fix things and move ahead, but we must help them recognize the restorative work of the Father. His tools and methods are precise. Like pruning, this process can and will be painful, but the results will be worth it. A quick repair may appear to get someone back on track, but it will never yield the life-changing, God-exalting fruit that will last until eternity.
Reflection
How can you help others recognize God’s restorative work in their lives?
What fruit can you see in your own life, where God has done the necessary work of repairing what was once broken?
Curtis Heaton is the Executive Director of the Canadian Biblical Counseling Coalition. He also serves as the Student Care & Counselling Coordinator at Heritage College & Seminary. He has a Masters Degree in Theology and is a certified biblical counselor through the Association of Biblical Counselors. Curtis is married to Valerie and together they have three beautiful and energetic children.
A version of this post was originally posted on October 27, 2023 on the BCC Blog – it has been expanded and revised here.
