Drive On
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
I took my car to get an overdue inspection yesterday. I was fairly certain there would be a few things that would need attention on it, and was expecting a trip to the parts store for a needed light bulb or two at least.
I liked how inspections used to be done, you know, back before all these fancy computerized gizmos, when all that obviously was out of line could be corrected to just make the car road safe. Everything was done with instruments that could be somewhat understood and the faulty items could be easily identified and remedied.
So I pulled up to this place that Kim had previously used and recommended for their speed and friendly service. Their initial analysis was reassuring as they checked all the lights using mirrors and walked around the car, looking at this and that. I noticed, though, that the car was left running as they plugged this long cable into a slot below the steering column. They began to turn their attention away from the car itself to watch a computer screen on this stand. The test progressed with some promise for a while, but then simply refused to proceed. This, I guess, indicated a burned out fuse that was causing a break in the ability of the computer to completely access every electrical pathway. The inspector proceeded to locate the faulty fuse for me, I’m sure with the intention of helping to successfully complete the test and get me out the door. He managed, though, to remove the wrong fuse and disable the car altogether for a few moments. Though the errant fuse was eventually located and replaced, upon attempting to run the test again, there were error messages shown on the screen that now indicated that there was a problem with the car’s information, that after having been shut down, it would need to be driven again for time in order for it to obtain all the necessary information once more. I actually did take off for an afternoon drive, well determined that this necessary procedure would be completed and I would get my needed sticker. But, somehow there was still a code problem when I returned that required another special tool to completely reset everything once more.
So, I’m having to drive my wonderful blessing for a few more days as the information is established once more. I couldn’t help but wonder why they couldn’t just, you know, smell the exhaust, listen to the engine, check the tires, see if the lights were working and put the little sticker on the window. After all, it has been driven ’safely’ for quite some time in its present state and surely there would be many more miles that it could cover without mishap. What is being made very clear to me through this, though, is that there is diagnosis and exposure of certain things within my car that can only be done by this special tool. Safety and functionality go way past the obvious and the ability to just put it in gear and move down the road. The ability of that computer to perform its function in the car is also dependent upon the condition of the car’s computer. If there is a problem where it has been disconnected and disrupted somehow, it may require a bit of time and miles over the road before it is able to communicate effectively once again.
There are things in us that can be talked about and self diagnosed. By just taking an external gander, faults can be recognized and brought to attention as requiring correction. A smile or two may be forced to replace those frowns and a thought may be willfully made to be good. We may even be able to move on down the road with apparent ’safety’ for quite some time with frequent references to the maintenance manual and schedule.
Beneath the surface, though, and much more critical than anything we might be able to identify ourselves is our spirit, this personal computer that is in touch with every part of our being and monitors the condition of vital areas seen and unseen. We might be able to identify bumps and bruises and even notice the symptoms of something amiss inside, but if there is to be complete restoration of this complex creation that we are, if we are to really be road worthy, we must be connected to the Holy Spirit, where He is allowed to come in and explore every circuit and every pathway. It is only through His access that the real difficulties and areas of need will be exposed and corrected. There may be a point at which our spirit gets reset or disrupted, putting up a wall against communication with the Spirit. We may require a bit of time to cover a few miles again and reestablish receptivity, but if we are ever going to legally pass through this life having been corrected and restored in the core of our being, it will require a return to the place where only the Son of God can, by the Spirit, make the needed changes in us.
It may be easy today to just want the tires kicked, the lights flashed and to get on down the road. Why not just smell our breath, brush our teeth, call it good and not really deal with all those things under the hood? It’s being done around us all the time, but there is a security in living available to all who will only stop by where the service is friendly and the perception goes deep and complete. There may be needed adjustments. It may be as small as a fuse or as big as an engine, but not only will the Spirit identify, it will also begin to transform those errant parts into fully functioning and productive elements. Our progress through life in this day can be one of confidence and surety, knowing that we’ve taken care of our total being. Jesus has been given access to our every part, taken any sin there, and restored us to righteousness and holiness in His presence. Great is His faithfulness and how wonderful His restoring mercies. Drive on.
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
