Mileage Matters

A car's lifespan is measured by mileage rather than years. My lifespan should be measured in the same way. I bought my 1993 Subaru Loyale when it was fourteen years old. That doesn't mean too much when you're buying a used car. If the odometer would have read 1310 miles the car would have been categorized as "new." Since the odometer actually said 131,000 miles, the car was "used." Now a used car, is by no means useless.

That same odometer rolled over to 196,000 miles last week. Today the oil was changed and it received a little "tender loving care." What happened between 131,000 and 196,000 miles? Did "The Silver Bullet" sit in the garage? Was my little station wagon gently going to the grocery store and picking up a gallon of milk? Were the windshield wipers cracking and peeling because of the fan in front of the treadmill?

No stinking way! This old car has carried me up and over mountains. Unintentionally chased tornadoes across rolling farm land. Shivered through an exceptionally cold winter night in North Dakota. Rallied through mud puddles. Transformed to a bed and breakfast for a transient ski bum. Hauled Icelanders, Kiwis, and Swedes up the ski hill road. Moved college kids from apartment to apartment. And despite a few clanks, bangs, and a rattle and hum, this old car has been a sanctuary where God has filled a life with memories, joy, and a love for life.

Does an old car just magically continue to run? No. Routine maintenance keeps it healthy. Simple steps are taken to keep things in working order. Sometimes an extensive repair causes stress, lost time, and an empty wallet but in hindsight, it's worth it. When the Subaru was 17 years old, it never looked better. The hatch back was delicately embraced with a beautiful arrangement of stickers. The new roof rack increased it's storage capacity. But some things under the hood were looking sketchy. An overwhelming number of dollars were spent, parts were replaced, and some tears may have been shed; but new life was breathed into an old body.

When I was 17 years old, the miles were beginning to take their toll on me. I know I sound like that guy down the hall in the nursing home, but I'm for real. Satan had deceived yet another teenage guy growing up in a comfortable Christian home. While my outer appearance, actions, and reputation said one thing, lies filled me up inside. Pornography and masturbation were rotting me deep to my core. At the same time I still looked appealing to the world. Gossip, slander, and jokes that broke hearts faster than they showed love flowed out of my mouth. On Sundays that same tongue shaped words that sounded like the poems of the Psalmist. Activity filled my weeks, leaving little time for routine maintenance. It was time to check the oil, replace some parts, and put new life into an old body.

God used normal humans to show me what was going on under my hood. I was looking shiny and ready for the road, but disaster was bound to take place. Rather than allowing me to blow a head gasket, crack a block, or burn all of my oil; God used the knowledge I had from a Christian K-8 education, the routine of church and youth group, and the desire to be friends with many people to give me a complete overhaul.

Have I been fixed up to sit in the garage? No. Has the Master Mechanic done some free work that has allowed me to have more adventures than I ever imagined? Yes. Do I require routine maintenance, the occasional oil change, and a new part now and then? Yes. Everyday is a new day. God fills my tank free of charge. I just have to show up. I don't know how many miles God will let me drive with Him, but I can't wait to see where He takes me!

Take time to "look under the hood" today. Ask God to show you what you need to let him repair. Let Him fill your tank for free.

Speak Out - What Would You Do?

A friend and I went out to lunch after church with our Pastor and his family. On our way to the restaurant something happened that is challenging me to take a look at how I am living out my faith. Here is the
question: What would you do? Here is the context. We exited the freeway and sat at the red light on the off ramp, next to us stood a homeless man with a sign asking for help. Our pastor said “Oh man, what do we do?” Then he turned, looked back at us and said “Girls, what would you do?” I looked that homeless man in the eyes and was filled with shame. In that moment I didn’t have an answer. In theory the answer is to help him. The dilemma was more of how. There lies the struggle for me. How do I help? I know I need to help. God has blessed me, has compassion on me and loves me. Where is outflow of love for my God and Savior in my life? Lately I’ve been asking the Lord for two things. The first is that He would grow my love for Him and the second is that he would grow my love for people. I know that there are lost and desperate people out there. When confronted with one I was not prepared to help, to reach out, and to love that person.

Colossians 3:12-17 says “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

When it comes to applying the Word of God to my life, the word that often comes to my mind is: Intentional. I was confronted by this man’s needs because we happened upon him, not because I was intending to help someone in need. There are two areas here in my life that I am challenged to change. I’m challenged to be prepared. I’m challenged to think ahead to what I can do and how I can help when the needs arise in the moment. What will I decide, now, to do the next time I see a homeless person on the side of the road, asking for help? What will I do the next time I have the opportunity to share Christ’s love and salvation with someone? I need to decide these things and be ready help, share and love. I’m also challenged to be intentional. I cannot wait for someone to happen along. I need to go. Where can I go to help the homeless? Where can go to I witness to people?

On the radio on the way to work today “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath was playing. Here are the powerful lyrics:

Verse One: Looked down from a broken sky, Traced out by the city lights,
My world from a mile high, Best seat in the house tonight,
Touched down on the cold black tile, Hold on for the sudden stop,
Breath in the familiar shock, Of confusion and chaos,
All those people going somewhere?, Why have I never cared?

Chorus: Give me your eyes for just one second,
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give me your love for humanity,
Give me your arms for the broken hearted,
The ones that are far beyond my reach,
Give me your heart for the once forgotten

Verse Two: Step out on a busy street, See a girl and our eyes meet,
Does her best to smile at me, To hide what’s underneath,
There’s a man just to her right, Black suit and a bright red tie,
Too ashamed to tell his wife, He’s out of work, He’s buying time,
All those people going somewhere?, Why have I never cared?

Chorus: Give me your eyes for just one second,
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give me your love for humanity,
Give me your arms for the broken hearted,
The ones that are far beyond my reach,
Give me your heart for the once forgotten (repeat)

Verse Three: I’ve Been there a million times, A couple of million eyes,
Just move and pass me by, I swear I never thought that I was wrong,
Well I want a second glance, So give me a second chance,
To see the way you see the people all alone

Chorus: Give me your eyes for just one second,
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give me your love for humanity,
Give me your arms for the broken hearted,
The ones that are far beyond my reach,
Give me your heart for the once forgotten (repeat)

Our discussion on what to do continued. Our pastor asked us if it would be okay if he dropped us off at the restaurant and went back to bring that man some food. So he dropped us off at the restaurant and went back to bring that man some food. By the time he got there, the man was gone. Sunday as we ate lunch, Sunday night at Young Adults Bible study as we shared areas we feel the Lord is challenging us to grow, Monday as I went through my day, and now this morning as I write this, that man and this issue is heavy on my mind. It is a moment I don’t want to forget. It’s a moment that has impacted me and I pray the Lord uses to change me.

What will I do?

What Would You Do?

by Naomi Andrews
originally posted November 2008