Covenant Church

With seven children still living at home and Dad the pastor of a small congregation, it was important that we become responsible for our own welfare as early as possible. If we wanted a car, we saved our money and Dad would help us make a wise purchase.

In my third year of college I drove my used car home. Spitting and spluttering, jumping and jerking, somehow I managed the 50 miles to our driveway.

”Dad,” I said as I put the keys down, “I don’t care what happens to that car. I am done with it. It runs awful.”

Dad was ever one to be thoughtful and non-reactive. Calmly he said, “Son, don’t get in too big a hurry. Why don’t we go look at it.”

Out we went and I followed his instructions to start the engine. I was almost glad when the sound of the running engine was awful. Dad raised the hood, looked the engine over as if nothing was wrong, turned his ear to listen, and asked me to turn off the ignition.

Methodically, he began to check cables, wires, and go over the engine. Then he took hold of the spark plug wires. Three of the eight wires were almost falling off the plugs. Obviously, they had not been firing at all.

About two minutes had passed when he suggested I try starting the engine. It leaped into life with all cylinders firing, no electrical shortage, and purred like a new engine. Dad closed the hood, and walked back to the house. I do not remember that he said anything to me in words. He said a lot in attitude. The lesson has been with me these years.

Now I am a Dad and grandfather, a pastor, businessman, writer, and counselor. Life offers its uneven days, moments, and events. Every day brings turbulence. Every day seems to have some spark plugs that are not firing. Every day offers moments to test character, try the soul, tempt, and challenge whether response will be carefully orchestrated or reactive.

Today had its challenges. Today my body needed rest. There have been long days lately. Many good things are happening. God is opening doors that are miraculous. With constant amazement, I wonder at his providence and blessing. Yet, it has been necessary to learn that too many good things happening can also drain body energy. The reservoir goes down. The mind runs ahead, while the body is dragged along. Stamina keeps the body in the race when the reservoir is dangerously low.

It is increasingly necessary in my life and your life that we put the keys down in front of the Heavenly Father and ask him to check things out. Our lack of humility to depend upon Our Lord becomes a liability that risks our very future. We splutter on in human strength, instead of allowing Our Heavenly Father to put his hands to the engine of our life and oil our system with Spirit power. Hopefully, we will learn that whatever we do could be done so much better if we would allow Jesus to go before us. Hopefully, we will learn that the Father knows more about us and our hopes and dreams than we know. He knows what is better for us than we ourselves know.

In moments of reflection and rest, we pause to remember it is not what we do that is most important. Most important is the attitude with which we do what we do.

Could I suggest that you join with me in putting the keys of your life down in front of Our Father and say: “Dear Lord, I have been spluttering along in my own pride. Would you please check me over and fix me? Teach me to lean upon the power of the Holy Spirit that I may run well and finish well.”

Now join with me in a season of fasting and praying with one ambition: Let us draw near to him that He may draw near to us.

With much love,

Pastor Bare Matthew 5:6