Routine Maintenance

Good Morning,

Few people like to spend money on things they need. I was reminded of this recently when it came to my bicycle. I had not had it on the road much over the last several years due mainly to the excessively winding, hilly roads here in Colorado. I missed riding though, so I started peddling again.  The hills are steep here and going down means going fast. During one such descent I realized that I had not had my wheels, brakes and other key parts checked and serviced for 7 years.  Not the greatest thought at the moment. 

So I checked into having this done and discovered that it might cost me $100 or more to restore it to completely safe condition. I had better, more fun things to spend $100 on. That is until I considered the cost of a hospital stay, the pain of broken limbs, the loss of income while recuperating from a crash, and the scars to show for it all. Turns out the cost of routine maintenance is extremely reasonable! And the cost of not doing it can be extremely high.

Rarely do people get off track in life via large strides.  They generally get off track a small step at a time.  A twinge of the conscience ignored, a core value speaks up and we turn a deaf ear, a little indiscretion is rationalized.  Small things, small steps that when continued, leave us far from where we intended to be. 

Scripture speaks to the importance of doing routine maintenance on our hearts, mind and soul.  Proverbs 4:23 instructs to guard our hearts above all else. Col. 3:2 tells us to set our hearts on things above, not earthly things. Finally, Ps. 19:7 reminds us that God’s Word revives our souls. If we do this, we can be protected from the high cost of neglect. So, here are three routine maintenance exercises for you to consider this week.

1. How well are you guarding your heart? Where is it well protected and where have you let your guard down?
2. What is your mind focused on? How is your thought life? Is it directed more toward things above or things below?
3. What priority are you giving to connecting with God? Through His Word, in prayer or simply being still in His presence. Do you need the reviving of your soul that this can bring?

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silverand search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God… Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Prov. 2:1-5; 9-11

Live this week on purpose,
Ron Klopfenstein