Mark Sorensen It’s pretty sad that it takes sitting in a car dealership while your car gets its 30,000 mile maintenance and check up to force you to slow down, take some deep breaths (inhales which include breathing in the popcorn machine fumes that I find myself sitting next to) and update your blog which has been LONG overdue for an update.
SO, a couple thoughts…
First thought? Popcorn smells really good. Seriously. Is this scent available as a car air freshener smell? If not, someone needs to get on that. Stat.
Second. A warranty is a pretty sweet deal. I’ll pay nothing out of pocket for this trip (yes, yes, I know. I am paying for it out of my monthly car payment. However, my brain has not put that together yet so, if you don’t mind, let me be naive here;) Now, the potential downside to the upkeep of a vehicle through a said warranty? The hassle of having to slow down long enough to find the time in my calendar and schedule to let the dealership do their thing and keep the maintenance up on my car. The upside? Because I am keeping the maintenance up on the vehicle, I know these things: it’s safe, drivable, and eliminates worry. SO, here I sit. Having stopped my day to let the dealership do their thing by keeping the maintenance up on the very thing I put my life in the hands of careening 70+ miles an hour on Houston interstates amidst crazy traffic. The way I see it? Totally worth it.
Now this:
You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees. –Psalm 119:57-64
I love the heart of the Psalmist here in 119. In my quiet time earlier this morning, I caught on to these words and phrases…
- You are my portion…
- I have promised to obey your words…
- I have sought your face with ALL my heart…
- I have considered my ways and turn to you…
- I will hasten and not delay…
- The earth is filled with your love, O Lord…
We’ve got a pretty sweet eternal warranty with God, when you think about it. At any point, no matter how well our lives are running or how bad the engine or tires of our lives may sound, God’s willing to overhaul every part of it, paid for us all through the sacrifice of what Christ did for us all on the cross. All that’s required? We slow down and ask. We give Him our lives and let the detailing, maintenance, and upkeep happen. Then? It’s necessary to live out of the Father’s love and drive the kind of lives that point people to the Father’s love. I love the Psalmist’s words when he says, “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands” (vs. 60).
Upkeep and maintenance is key and imperative to get the most of your car ensuring a long life. The same can be said for us all in our relationship with God, right? SO. What do you say? Willing to pull over and let God take a look under the hood? Thinking you’ll be glad you did. Then? Get back on the road. Take a look out the window. The view’s not that bad as, truly, “The earth is filled with Your love, O Lord”.
