When Rubber Meets the Road

Scriptures: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

Recently, I have been driving the car my son drove before. One day, I went to the gas station to get some gasoline. It was then I found that the MPG (Miles per Gallon) for the car was so much lower than what I expected. I wondered what happened to the car that resulted in such low MPG.

Then, I noticed that the tires seemed a lot flatter than normal. I drove over to the air pump and found the tire pressure for all four tires was very low. So, I pumped some air into the tires to increase the tire pressure to the proper level. This took care of the low MPG problem as well as the wear and tear that could have damaged the tires.

So, I explained to my son how low tire pressure would increase the tire’s contact surface with the ground and, thereby, create more frictions that lower the car’s fuel efficiency and increase the risk of accidents in stormy weather. It would also increase maintenance cost due to wear and tear. As I was talking to him, it suddenly hit me that our life is the same. When we have less love of God in us, less sensitivity to the nudging and guidance of the Spirit, less exposure to the word of God, and less godly compassion for the eternal state of others, we find more frictions in our inter-personal relationship, poorer quality in the decisions we make, less effectiveness in our ministries, and more susceptibility to temptations and all kinds of evil desires.

As this world is under the power of the evil one, our lives are filled with ungodly temptations and all sorts of spiritual attacks. To be a good and faithful servant, as the Lord demanded, we need to be sensitive to the quality of our spiritual lives.

What I took away from this tire pressure lesson was to be more conscientious of the condition of the tires of my car. I planned to measure the tire pressure on a periodic basis and, not by visual observation only, but by approved mechanical device which is definitely more objective than my visual observations. I need to be more proactive in making sure the tires are in good condition to ensure the safety of all on board.

In the same way, we need to measure our spiritual condition constantly, not by our feelings, nor personal preferences, but by an objective measure provided by God, the Word of God. We need to accept the standard set forth in the bible. We need to submit to the authority of His Word. We need to allow God to speak to us through His Word about our spiritual condition and about His plan for us. This is the first step.

Once we know our condition, either over-inflated or low on pressure, we need to take corrective measures, as prescribed in the bible, right away. You see, bible tells us that God desires to walk with us. For every Christian, He not only walks with us, He lives in us. Our daily problems do not spring from His absence in our lives, but rather, from our going astray, minding our own businesses and distancing ourselves from Him.

Paul reminded us, in the passage today, that because we live by the Spirit, we should keep up with the Spirit, i.e. we should not only go along with the Spirit, we should keep the same pace as the Holy Spirit who is here in us not only to comfort, but also to lead and to empower.

I think we all have had enough frictions, or even flat tires, in life. We desire to be fully charged and mightily used to glorify our Lord, our Redeemer and Mediator. Let’s come back to the basics to ask for a humble and teachable heart on which He can instruct, rebuke and build up a soul pure and clear, reflecting His glorious image!

Prayer Requests:
Those who suffer from flat tires

Prayer:
Gracious Lord, sometimes we complain about things in life. We forget that they don’t come to us without a purpose and meaning. As much as we dislike them, they are the true test of our Christ-likeness. Help us to be humble and teachable and be open and sensitive to Your instructions and leading so our walk with You will be filled with Your presence and power, giving glory to our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!