God Is Our Mechanic

Today, I will be taking Chris's car to the Mazda dealership. A few days ago, the car started making squeaking and clunking noises that has Chris concerned. Chris will be taking Tim's car to work and I will be driving Tim and Matthew to university in my car.

Taking Chris's car to a professional mechanic because of an unfamiliar noise reminds me how all of us need to bring ourselves to our Mechanic, God the Father, when we start acting or talking in ways that are not Christ-like. And these are the warning lights: when we lose our tempers easily, become rude and sarcastic to others, lie, try to manipulate or control people, think of ourselves more than others, and neglect spending time with God. When we need God to cleanse and prioritize our lives, these warning lights will flash persistently until we heed the Holy Spirit's promptings to go before God in prayer, submission, Bible reading, and meditation.

The Bible says that when we come to God with a contrite heart, He will purify the contents of our heart, making it new. At the same time, God will give us a new spirit to activate our new heart, replacing our thoughts and desires with His thoughts and desires. Then our stony, stubborn heart becomes a tender, responsive heart that is able to love God, ourselves, and all others.

"And I will give you a new heart, 

and I will put a new spirit in you. 

I will take out your stony, stubborn heart 

and give you a tender, responsive heart."

Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)