Check Engine Light
“...For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45b
Inspector: Mr. Stafford...I can’t pass this vehicle.
Me: Why not? I don’t understand. Everything’s running fine.
Inspector: Well, your “Check Engine” light is on. It’s an automatic “Fail.”
Me: Oh, I know...I know. It came on a few months ago. I stopped looking at it after a while. The car has been driving fine...no problems at all.
Inspector: Yes sir. I understand, but that light indicates that something is wrong with your emissions’ systems and you are going to have to address what’s going on INSIDE the engine before I can put a “Pass Inspection” sticker on the OUTSIDE.
Me: O.k. Thanks so much. I’ll get it checked out. I guess that it’s been on so long with no real problems, I just assumed that it was no big deal.
Spiritual Lesson: I am often the last one to know (or admit) that I have things happening on the INSIDE of my life that are affecting what is happening on the OUTSIDE...or even worse...I can begin to ignore the warning signs of something that I need to address.
The bottom line is this...The Holy Spirit wants to change us every single day to become more like Jesus Christ in our thoughts, actions, attitudes and speech. And the key to “life change” for anyone who is a Christian is a willingness to deal with what’s going on INSIDE of us so that the world can see Jesus on the OUTSIDE of us.
By the way...the inspector was right. There was a problem that a mechanic (and some money) were able to fix. The wallet is lighter...but I passed inspection for another year!
