TODAY THE WORDS are CHECK THE OIL. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband that checks my car for oil, washer fluid and pressure in my tires, that I will look like the last person to write about checking the oil, but you will see I am using this as a metaphorical example. We use our vehicles for needed transportation; we use it for work; we use it for recreation; we use it to take us to church; we use it for visiting family and sick ones. We go to the grocery stores, retail shops, drug stores, doctors’ offices, sporting events, etc. As a matter of fact, a lot of us do not walk enough and depend on the vehicle more and more. When I was a youngster, we walked everywhere or at least it seemed that way. I do remember taking trips to the country for visits, fishing, and hunting. I can remember my Dad’s head underneath the hood, checking the oil and the fluids. He believed in keeping the oil changed, the antifreeze levels up, and water in the radiator (see how I can date the times). He would do a walk around his vehicle to make sure our trip would be safe and the vehicle would not run hot. This was a regular routine before a trip and we usually rolled right on down the road. This is where the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure” comes into play. It would not eliminate something beyond the normal happening; it prevented careless repairs. Now for the deeper thought…..To check the oil, Daddy would use the dip stick to measure and he would have to take it out, clean it off and then dip it very deep to get a correct reading….It is the same thing we have to do to check our character and integrity. On the surface, we can look all shiny as new vehicles do; we appear to have everything running smoothly; we drive on down the road of life at top speeds; and we talk, walk, and live on the edge. However, do we take a few minutes to check our oil of life? Do we take out our inner thoughts, clean them off, and dip our soul stick back in and reach deep down to get a proper and accurate reading? I am speaking from my heart so do not feel I am trying to attack anyone in particular. I used to ride down the road without any prior checking of whether my “soul vehicle” was in proper maintenance. When God slowed me down, showed me how to prevent those careless repairs and taught me to do the pre-trip checks; my life began to flourish in a new smooth riding. Do I hit bumps along the road? Indeed I do; and sometimes, even on a day trip, I have to pull over; stop my engine; rest a few minutes and visit with God before I crank my engine and pull out again. Please remember to check your soul oil and give God the credit for a sucessful trip when you get to your destination in life.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Isaiah 61:3
To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
(c) copyright 2013 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.
