A Repairer

“…and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.” (2 Kings 12:5b)

Recently, I was singing the old hymn, “May Jesus Christ Be Praised,” and my mind was caught by the use of the word “repair” in the first verse: “Alike at work and prayer/To Jesus I repair.” Obviously, the word has at least two meanings, with the first one as listed in the OED being, “To go, betake oneself, make one’s way, to or from a place or person.” I knew, of course, that was what was meant in the hymn, but my mind quickly jumped to the second meaning, and then, a correlation between the two. Going (or “betaking oneself”) to Jesus is the best method I know of for repairing what is wrong in any life.

The word is found fourteen times in our King James Bible, and twelve of them, including the verse above, refer to repairing breaches (breaks) in “the house of God,” the Temple. But it was a more personal activity that came to mind as I meditated—the repairing of lives and relationships; because, after all, when you “re-pair,” you put back together two things (or people) that were once part of a pair but are now single, isolated units. What better job description could you ask for?

And there are so many places where this ministry of mediation is called for. Someone to stand in the gap between two offended or neglected parties. Whether it be a marriage, family members, church members, co-workers, or just a severed friendship, someone who could care enough to try to take two “singles” and “re-pair” them. Oh, it cannot be done in all cases, I know, and perhaps should not be in some. But it seems to me that it ought to be at least tried.

Perhaps you would like to join the ranks of the “re-pairers.” Whisperers, critics, and busy-bodies need not apply, however. These do more separating than putting together (Pro. 16:28). Galatians 5:22-23 would make a good resume, I think. In any case, the recognition the job reaps will be worth it.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matt.5:9)