Pastors Garage
April 12, 2024
So I have always enjoyed going fast! I have ever owned any vehicles that
were really fast by some standards, but I have owned some that were faster
than most!(not that I put that to the test in any way, shape, or
form…..on streets….at red lights….. or on quiet country highways late
at night…….) There is something exhilarating about a contest of speed
or agility and coming out the victor. There’s something deeply satisfying
after some adjustment or trial about surpassing a previous personal best.
I have also owned vehicles that I could tell were not running as well as
they could or were designed too. My truck right now is an example of that.
When I fire it up in the morning it runs fine, but as it warms up it starts
to stumble and surge, until finally resting at a continuous miss and
shudder while driving. Shut it down for the night, let it cool off, and it
seems to run fine again first thing in the morning until it warms up and
repeats the process all over again. While at this point it likely isn’t
anything too serious, it is a bit annoying and is hard on gas. It is still
somewhat drive-able. But if I was to ignore the problem and just keep on
driving it for any length of time I am sure it would cause bigger problems
that would cost far more. I have an appointment to have it looked at and I
am trying to avoid driving it.
Our lives are like that at times as well. Everything seems to be running
fine, but it’s still a good idea to check things over from time to time and
do some preventable maintenance. And then all of the sudden, out of the
blue, for no apparent reason, a miss or shudder appears. Sure we could just
keep on plugging away, hoping it will just magically disappear, but that’s
usually not the best idea and left unaddressed things usually get worse if
not catastrophic!
This Sunday I will be talking about making sure we are healthy and on the
right track. How we are living in interesting times, with much varied
opinion out there over almost every issue you can imagine. How do we stay
on the straight and narrow and know what is true or counterfeit? I will
also be asking us to do a specific spiritual check up and diagnosis if you
will in the form of a fast. A fast is where you refrain from a normal
activity for a set period of time replacing it with a focus on the things
of the Lord. I heard an old preacher once say “If you want to go fast, you
need to fast!” As unpleasant as it might be during the duration it
inevitably allows you to see things clearer and operate in a far more
healthy way after!
I want to leave you with this passage from 2 Timothy. *“But you must remain
faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for
you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy
Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive
the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is
inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us
realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and
teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people
to do every good work.” *2 Timothy 3:14-17NLT
Pastor Mike