by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

I’ve always thought playing Tetris makes a person a better dishwasher loader. Tetris and probably Jenga. I really should’ve played more games. I’m hoping at least Wordle has upped my dish-loading game.

Figuring out how to fit that giant spatula in without giving up prime, top-rack coffee mug space? It’s a puzzle. And what about that frying pan with a handle twice as long as your dishwasher is deep? There’s some engineering required there—heavy on the balancing, fulcrumming, and wedging. And since I mentioned precious top-rack space, why does there always seem to be a spot that looks like it’ll fit two mugs, but no amount of finagling will get the last one in? Why won’t both fit? Why?

I don’t want to admit how much time and energy I’ve wasted trying to force that last mug. I could’ve handwashed 40 mugs in the time I spent reloading, unloading, re-reloading. I’m mad at my dishwasher by then. On principle. And about the puzzle.

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#BRMCWC #Writing #Writinglife”]Dishing on the Faith-Works Puzzle by @RhondaRhea on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]

I do realize I probably expect too much from my dishwasher. I want it to hold every dish in a balanced fit, I want it to get every one of them spotlessly clean (including the dried-on noodles from the deepest bowl crevasses and the orange stain that’s been on that plate since 1993), I want it to wait in line for me at the DMV, I want it to find a hairstyle that’s right for my face, and I want it to do my taxes. And end world hunger.

Puzzle on all that, dishwasher.

When it comes to spiritual puzzles, people are always noodling and re-noodling the faith and works balance. We read in James 2:26 “faith without works is dead” (CSB), and then in Ephesians 2:8-9 we find we’re “saved by grace through faith” and that it’s “not from works” (CSB).

Our Creator designed a life for each of us that’s meant to be a grace adventure of faith in action, and works of faith in love with heart. Faith is demonstrated in works as the power of God moves in and through us. It’s activated when we share the Gospel, when we love someone who isn’t loveable, when we serve in a place where there will be no thanks or recognition. It’s shows up in our belief—all from God.

Our faith was never meant to be pulled out at church on Sunday, just to be top-rack-shelved on Monday. Works aren’t just for feeling good about ourselves. We were never meant to make either about us, and we were never meant to choose between the two. “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works” (James 2:18 CSB). The Message puts it this way: “You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove” (MSG).

Faith and works together. No need for fulcrummy wedges. Every moment we lean into His grace and look to Him in faith is a moment of great God-works and sweet life-balance.

Let’s noodle on that with thanks. But don’t forget to rinse your bowl.

Rhonda Rhea is an award-winning humor columnist for great magazines such as HomeLife, Leading Hearts, The Pathway, and many more. She is the author of 19 books, including the popular romantic comedies co-authored with her daughter Kaley Rhea, Off-Script & Over-Caffeinated and Turtles in the Road. Rhonda and Kaley have also teamed up with Bridges TV host Monica Schmelter for the Messy to Meaningful books and TV projects. Along with Beth Duewel, Rhonda writes the Fix Her Upper series, and she also co-authored Unruffled: Thriving in Chaos with Edie Melson. She speaks at conferences and events from coast to coast, serves on many boards and committees, and stays busy as a publishing consultant. Rhonda says you can find her living near St. Louis drinking too much coffee and snort-laughing with her pastor/husband, five grown children, and a growing collection of the most exceptional grandbabies.