“Mechanic…” (by Mel McGuire)

I have owned my current car for over ten years. I bought it brand new and have enjoyed its performance, economy, and luxury features. Without a doubt, it is the best car I have ever owned.

Recently, little things have begun to go wrong with it, which is normal, I know. Because of various external circumstances (read “financial considerations”) I decided to not get them fixed right away. I could not afford to go see the mechanic.

Over time, I got used to driving the car without all of its features working properly. I kept up on the maintenance and important things like oil changes and the like, but the window I never use and the parking lamp I can’t really see? They waited.

When the hands free phone link went out…I bought an earpiece. The sound quality was not nearly as good, and it was certainly less convenient than just having my car and phone work seamlessly together, but I got used to it.

When the power steering starting groaning and fighting back. I bought power steering fluid and added it as necessary to keep things quiet. I got used to it and the inconvenience instead of going to the mechanic.

By the time I got a crack in the windshield, that HAD to be replaced, my little car had quite a bit of “character”. That is what we call it when you have to explain to others all the things that don’t work right, things that you have gotten used to.

Well, the windshield replacement put me on a path to get the other “little things” fixed, and after several trips to my mechanic…my car has less character, but everything works! And it didn’t cost NEARLY as much as I feared it would.

What a pleasure and a joy to be able to enjoy all the features the car was designed with again! I literally had forgotten how nice it was to have a fully functional car. Because I was afraid to go see the mechanic.

I get in the car and my phone is connected. I turn the wheel and the only sound I hear is the tires on the pavement. I can now roll down all of my windows without fear they will be stuck in one position or another. I am grateful for my mechanic.

Of course God then reminded me that my car may not be the only thing I had let fall into a state of functional disrepair. And as I examined my relationship with Him, I began to find some things that I had decided not to fix right away. I chose not to go see The Mechanic and when things didn’t work as well I as I had known…I got used to it.

I skipped prayer sessions and lost my seamless connection to Him…and got used to it. I am sure at least one of my testimonial “little lights” went out…and I ignored it. Even when others pointed it out, I chose not to go see The Mechanic” right away.

And for certain when He gave me a new direction, there was moaning and resistance on my part. I substituted situational forgiveness for true repentance…and I got used to it.

I got used to operating at less than my optimal functionality because I did not want to take the time and make the commitment to go see The Mechanic.

And then something happened that forced me back to the Shop. And it put me on a path to get all those little things fixed. And now I remember what it is like to walk in close fellowship with Him, and have everything working smoothly and cohesively.

I am not perfect, been at this too long to ever think that, but I am so much better, and I believe God is getting more out His vessel now that everything that was in disrepair has been fixed.

Go see The Mechanic. Listen to what He says about things that are going to have to be replaced or repaired soon…do not get used to being or having less. Stay fixed. Stay functional.

“Tools…” (by Mel McGuire)

Years ago we bought my daughter a bed. Whoever put it together (it wasn’t me) didn’t do the best job, and consequently, the screws that hold the frame together were put in backwards. Anyone who walked real close could get scraped or impaled on the screws. The way the bed was positioned in the room made this highly unlikely, and the screws remained as they were.

Recently my wife decided to alter the bedroom set up, exposing the screws and raising the chances of injury. My job then became to remove the screws and put them back in correctly. All I needed was a screwdriver and a wrench. While both tools used together would make the job simpler, I opted to go with the screwdriver alone. The first screw was a Phillips head and came out without any issues. The next screw was a flathead and my multi-headed screwdriver really didn’t work that well. Eventually I got the second screw out and due to the effort involved, declared myself done.

The Lord was already convicting me as I made my way downstairs to inform my wife the final two screws (also flathead) would be too difficult to remove due to a lack of proper tools and the intense effort required to remove them. I don’t really remember what she said to communicate to me that my intentions were insufficient, only that I returned to the task…agitated and motivated.

God reminded me that He has given us certain tools; prayer, praise and worship, counsel, and the Word are just a few. They work best when used together and the right combination is the equivalent of “the right tool for the right job”. Too often we allow things that could hurt someone to remain in place for too long. Then when forced to correct them, we only bring the most convenient tool. We are then ready to give up and declare the project too difficult because we didn’t have the right tool for the job.

Specific spirit- led prayers, founded on and incorporating established principles and promises in God’s word, backed up by praise in advance, and worship “just because”. Counsel that is rooted in the Word, sealed by prayer, and celebrated in praise. These are effective, proven, winning combinations that can correct most problems. Fasting can act like a lubricant, to loosen the atmosphere of the flesh so God can have His way. Be willing to put in the effort, it may save someone from a serious injury down the road.

Tools, like spiritual weapons, are designed to complement each other and when used properly, can make any job seem easier. In my case, I located a wrench and when combined with the screwdriver, I was able to fix the final two screws with less effort and in less time than the first two. When I was done, I marveled at how easy the job was…once I used the correct tools for the job. Assess your situation, then access your necessary tools.

Use all of the tools God has given you. Use them in conjunction and support of each other. That is key to unlocking the various challenges we all must eventually face. Choose, then use the right tool for the job.