Wednesday Bible Blurb Inefficiency 9 10 2025
Frustration comes to each of us when inefficiency takes the place of reality. It took two years of inefficiency after the insurance company I sold for was bought out until I got so tired of the inefficient run around that I retired. With the new ownership people realized their jobs were going to be eliminated so they simply did not care anymore. Without caring for others, inefficiency becomes the norm.
A few months ago, I went online and chatted with online help at a company selling running boards for my truck. I ordered the running boards they recommended would fit my truck and of course, they were the wrong item. When I contacted the company, they assured me I was wrong, and the item would fit. I sent them pictures showing their recommended running boards were not correct for my vehicle. Still the person on the phone said they would fit, I was considered wrong, but they would take them back and refund my money. I still have no running boards. Inefficiency.
Last June I went to my phone carrier to review my phone bill and service. I am 66 years old, and they finally told me there is a LARGE discount for the 55+ age group. I had been in to review my service several times over the last 20 years and never once was I informed of the 55+ discount, thus for 11 years I overpaid on my phone. More fun, the service tech “fixed it” and said the new discount would show up on my July billing. Nope, full price in July. I went in again and the person could see the fix had been entered into the computer but said the previous person had never hit “send”. Inefficiency.
Recently I ordered spark plugs from an online auto parts dealer. I paid for two-day shipping at $29. Six days later the spark plugs arrived. Inefficiency.
Adam and Eve were tempted, took the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and since then inefficiency has ruled this world. They sinned and now the entire world is subject to its effects. Inefficiency brings wasted and unneeded effort. Being inefficient is a poor use of time and leads to less than satisfactory outcomes. Productivity is lessoned and frustration looms. How many times have we been so flustered by folks who simply do not do their jobs leading to inefficient outcomes? Sadly, this scenario has become a major part of daily life.
Paul tells us all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23). When we get frustrated at the inefficiency in our lives let’s remember God is looking down on us and wondering about our spiritual inefficiencies. We have all sinned and that leads to inefficiency. What does God see in us and how do we improve our spiritual efficiency?
Fortunately for all mankind, God is just and merciful and He wants all of us to love and worship Him. He gives us His grace when we fail. We sin, we repent and as Paul writes, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” (Rom. 3:24 [NKJV]). He forgives our being so inefficient.
Paul, a master of efficiency writes, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:4-10). Thank God for His efficiency in giving us His grace for our spiritual inefficiencies.
The apostles discussing the gentiles made is spiritual decision of grace. “But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (Acts 15:11). The inefficient sinful ways of the gentiles were to change and by the grace of God they did.
We are so very blessed by God in that He gives us His forgiving grace and leads us to spiritual efficiency. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1-2). Thank God for His loving guidance and the grace He gives to us when we fail. Efficient!
So many times, I have been upset because of the non-caring inefficient ways of others. Running boards, over billed on the phone, late spark plugs and more. But how many times has God been frustrated with us? Thinking back to ancient Israel as they were rescued out of slavery in Egypt how many times did Israel disobey God and literally anger God? Many times! God wanted to blot them out and start over with Moses. What about us, do we anger God by our spiritual inefficient behaviors?
Thank God, every day, for His love and mercy towards us, His inefficient children.
