Firmly believing that regular oil changes, tire rotations, front end alignments, and the like all help to insure that vehicles last longer, my wife and I have always tried to keep our automobiles serviced on a consistent basis.
We have always been told that the standard rule for oil changes is three months or 3000 miles, whichever comes first. Well, for most of my adult life, the miles always came sooner than the months. But these days, being semi-retired, it seems the exact opposite is true. Three months can now come long before 3000 miles ever get driven.
Thus, I was somewhat taken back when my pickup truck suddenly notified me through a pop-up on my dashboard screen that the time for an oil change was fast approaching. This had never happened before.
We have always been told that the standard rule for oil changes is three months or 3000 miles, whichever comes first. Well, for most of my adult life, the miles always came sooner than the months. But these days, being semi-retired, it seems the exact opposite is true. Three months can now come long before 3000 miles ever get driven.
Thus, I was somewhat taken back when my pickup truck suddenly notified me through a pop-up on my dashboard screen that the time for an oil change was fast approaching. This had never happened before.
When the notice first appeared, I looked at the sticker on my windshield and saw that I was nowhere near having driven 3000 miles since the last oil change. Yet, lo and behold, the date of that oil change corresponded precisely with a three month time frame.
Now, I for one grew up in a day and age of what we might call “dumb” vehicles. Clearly that is not the case anymore. I see now that my truck is obviously a smart vehicle of some sort. After all, it is at least smart enough to know when the last time it had its oil changed. It also knows when it needs to have its oil changed again.
Now, obviously, my truck did not manufacture itself. It has a sticker on the windshield telling which Ford plant manufactured it, and in what year. So, apparently, the makers placed within it a certain sensitivity to the need for maintenance. Not that it can maintain itself. But it clearly has an innate appreciation for when its systems need attention.
As I have studied on this, I have been reminded that I too am the result of Another Individual’s creativity. I know the exact day I came to be as a result of my Maker’s efforts. Moreover, His handiwork is evident in every detail of my design and function. And, just like my truck, I too have been made with many wonderful assets that are intended to be a blessing and benefit to others.
But alas, I share another quality with my truck. For I too am subject to periodic malfunction and/or breakdowns. Therefore, I too need regular maintenance in order to perform and produce at the level which I was intended. Like my truck, this maintenance is beyond my ability to perform. I need Another One to execute this.
But what I do have within me is an innate sensitivity to my need for regular maintenance. That sensitivity was placed within me by the One Who both designed and made me. Simply put, if I will be honest with both myself and my Maker, I know enough to know when I need attention on the inside. I can see when well enough to know when my spiritual warning light begins to blink!
I trust you see the simple truth I am drawing from this little analogy. We have each been endowed with a soul by our Creator; and this soul needs regular attention. Now, as Thomas Payne so eloquently put it, there are certain times that “try our souls”! We all know of what he spoke. And when these times come, and our souls are pressed hard, we tend to turn to our Maker for our needs to be met. Indeed, well we should!
But even when the times do not necessarily try our souls, even when we go through those periods when we are not necessarily driven quite so hard by life, we still need to remember that there cries out within us a little voice reminding us of our need for regular spiritual maintenance. Make sure when it does that you make every effort to give your soul the regular spiritual attention it still needs.
How is this best done? By seeking out the only One truly qualified to give spiritual tune-ups - Almighty God, Who made us in His very likeness! When we do, He promises to hear our prayer and to meet our needs. Speaking through His prophet, Jeremiah (chapter 31, verse 25), the Lord gives us this wonderful reassurance: “I will refresh the weary soul and I will replenish all who are weak.”
Does your soul need a little maintenance today? Is it crying out for attention? Is your warning light flashing? If so, then I have good news. The Lord is ready; He is willing; and He is able to help. He stands by, patiently awaiting your contact. Seek His help today, my friend. You’ll be glad you did!
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: https://www.biblehub.com/jeremiah/31-25.htm.
NOTE: Apparently, I am not alone in the sparsity of my recent driving. It seems as if Covid -19 has had quite an impact on the reduction of miles being driven. Check out the article titled "Americans Drove 13% Fewer Miles in June Than A Tear Earlier" at https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/americans-drove-fewer-miles-june-than-2019.