Wear and Tear

 

I bought a new car 3 years ago. It has been a good car for me so far. I haven’t had any mechanical or other issues with it yet. I tend to keep my cars for awhile. I owned my three previous cars for 12 to 13 years each. For me, the measure of a car is not how it looks and smells when it’s new but rather how it stands up over time.

 

I see our Christian walk in much the same way. We are subject to all kinds of difficulties and just general wear and tear over the years because that is the nature of our life in this world. The test of our faith is how well it stands up to the various trials in our lives. It makes no sense to buy a new car and then just keep it in the garage to preserve the shiny finish and new car smell. A car is meant to be useful, even if using it causes it to run down. In the same way, we are called as Christians to be useful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should expect some bumps and bangs and breakdowns along the way. We should try to keep ourselves in good running order by getting regular maintenance, i.e. prayer, worship, and study. We can take comfort that the Master Mechanic is always available to repair us.

 

Life can be difficult, even for Christians. If you’re feeling worn down today, take heart. James wrote in his letter, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (Js 1:2-4). Jesus promises us, “…..In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:32-33).