Print this pagePREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE vs. EMERGENCY REPAIRS
Elder Michael Green, Jr.
I'm not a mechanic! However, I recently learned the valuable lesson that it is far less expensive to routinely service an automobile than wait for a catastrophe to occur. I will not go into details, but did you know that transmission maintenance for a 2001 Chevrolet Mini Van costs only $69.99 while a transmission rebuild costs $1899? I am now fully aware of this. Ouch!
Eight years of pastoral ministry is not a long time in comparison to many of my faithful brothers in Christ. I confess that I have fallen short in every aspect of this labor. However, I have discovered that Christian living parallels the automotive world insomuch that it is far better to practice preventative maintenance than to be forced to resort to making emergency repairs. Preventative maintenance involves reading and committing to the Word of God in preparation for the troubles that assail us in our lives. Emergency repairs entail "picking up the pieces" when the word of God is not known or heeded. In other words, repairs occur when we suffer the consequences of not following God's commandments, either ignorantly or willfully.
I do want to note that while emergency repairs are preventable, they sometimes are unavoidable. Just like automobiles we sometimes have mechanical difficulties despite practicing prevention. We also have "bump-ins" and may even experience outright catastrophic accidents. As long as we are part of a sin-cursed earth, we will be making repairs from time to time. If we are not making repairs in our lives, we are assisting others with bearing their burdens. During these experiences it is comforting to know that our Manufacturer has created no defects and that His word provides instruction to us during these times of emergency.
How do we practice preventative maintenance as Christians? First, we need to diligently read the word of God. In Psalms 119:105 David wrote, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The Bible provides all instruction necessary for life. David likens the word of God to a lamp unto his feet. This world is full of darkness, but the Bible lights our way. Oftentimes we look for enlightenment from the popular philosophy of today or seek answers from worldly sources. God's word is the thorough furnisher of all things that we need in preventative maintenance.
When we read and understand the word of God then we need to heed its contents. This will take sacrifice and self denial on our part. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Human nature rebels against this principle. Our flesh does not want to be denied. However, if we are to avoid many of the "emergencies" in life we need to take up our cross and follow after the righteous example of Jesus Christ. The Biblical pattern is simple. If we follow Him, we will enjoy blessings. If we choose to serve ourselves and succumb to the lusts of the flesh, we will suffer consequences in this world.
I am thankful that Jesus Christ enabled us to serve Him through His sacrifice on the cross. He came into the world to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). When we are made alive by the Spirit of God (Ephesians 2:1), we need to practice maintaining Godly living every day of our existence.