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Cars

Cars.

I got my first car when I was 23 years old. I paid the prior loan off in cash after making monthly payments for the prior 6 to 8 months. It was entirely too expensive, but I had little choice in the matter. I inherited it. It was either pay off the loan or lose the car. As I did not have the time or energy to make a thorough search of good, used vehicles, my mother’s sedan would have to do.

Rarely needing major work, it’s been a good car. I’ve kept it up with regular oil changes, belt replacement and diagnostic checks. The body could use some work though. Beaten up by some hail on an impromptu Wal-Mart trip for cookies I didn’t need, crackling hood paint from improper use of gas station window fluid, and a cracked fender from an accident I was too scared to report (also my fault), it surely needs some exterior restoration work.

Now, aren’t our lives a lot like my inheritance? Decaying (after years of life’s small dings and dents), but the engine, belts, and hoses are still running pretty well? (The engine is a little tired, but I encourage it to keep going!) Sometimes we can look pretty bad on the surface, full of wear and tear. And much of it isn’t always under our control (hail damage and dings from rude patrons at shopping malls or apartment complex parking lots). But it ends up there nonetheless—and it looks bad on our life’s vehicles. Some, or most of it can be accidental, and much of it is our own fault (if you’re like me). I’m sorry to admit though, I think some of it is not. Regardless, we are left to deal with the mess, the scratches and dents from life’s problems.
If we’re smart, law-abiding citizens, we’ll carry insurance, but usually (if you’re like me) you won’t utilize your insurance plan to cover the little things (like hail or a ding here and there). Usually, we pay “out-of-pocket” to save ourselves the higher expense and insurance mark-ups. It’s too bad. I think most of us also treat God the same as our insurance carriers. God, unlike The Hartford or Geico, has insurance that covers it all! Even the knicks and scratches on your new Lexus after a visit for milk at the grocery store! (Ouch!) Did I hit a nerve? Yeah, that offense. Minor, but it’s there isn’t it! The anger, the irritation. What about the rude neighbor or his kids who play loud music all the time? Your boss? Your irritating co-worker who knows just how to put you down—oh so subtlely. Doesn’t King Solomon state that it is “the little foxes that spoil the vineyards”? (SoS). But we aren’t vehicles, we are human, and life’s offenses and hurts damage our hearts (our engines) and wear on our faces (the paint job).

I read a proverb awhile ago taken off my Decaf-Vanilla Chai Tea bag: “For much wood a little fire suffices” (an Oriental saying). It took me awhile to get my “Aha” moment—I had to really think about the statement. But it’s pretty much stating what the wisest man who ever lived wrote—it’s the small things that add up.

I used to work for a clinical group home near Seattle, WA. If there was one thing I personally learned there it was this: the little things really add up. I saw it displayed every day in the young people we served and in my attitude and restlessness upon my arrival home after dealing with “blow-outs” all day long. I learned that if I don’t take that offense to the LORD immediately after it occurs (my insurance plan), I ended up really… angry! Moody, irritable, impatient, you get the idea, and it sure takes a toll on my mouth (my engine—the heart—see Matthew 12:34).

Dr. Neil Anderson offers some advice on this topic: forgive offenses (--for real. Give that person or group of persons to the LORD. He’ll take care of it if you forgive from the heart (Matthew 18:35) and truly give them and your feelings (all of them!) over to Him. For those of us who need help doing this (ahem!) we have the Holy Spirit, our comforter and friend. Like Dr. Anderson says in his booklet Winning Spiritual Warfare, “Don’t pray, ‘Lord help me to forgive, He is already helping you,” (p.). Or, “ ‘Lord, I want to forgive’; by saying this you are bypassing your (fundamental responsibility) to forgive,” (p.).

Ouch again! The Bible states that God has given us everything we need that pertains to… what? Life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). We thank Him for what He’s already done and given us—the tools to forgive. Then, we obey. This may not keep our vehicles dent-free, but it will keep us dent-restored. Thank God for the blood of His son Jesus.

Recommended Readings/Homework:

Proverbs 19:11
I Peter 4:8