One Summer when I was in college, I was working door to door in Southern Louisiana and putting lots of miles on the first car I ever owned. I learned a lot as I met lots of different people, had some mechanical issues that I needed to figure out, and even grew in my faith as I encountered other Christians. Once, a couple weeks before heading back to Iowa, I was heading South on a highway toward a new town I had not been to before and someone in front of me had slowed down to turn left, but when I hit my brakes to stop…nothing! I couldn’t stop and was prepared to go in the ditch when the car ahead of me sped up and accelerated forward. I was then able to slow it down and they pulled over ahead of me down the road, where I apologized and he said he looked up and saw I wasn’t slowing down. There were a couple instances where that happened, but I drove more cautiously though the brakes seemed to work again later on, but an hour later, my hands were still shaking, as I was a little rattled. Have you ever had the experience where you were in trouble because something you needed wasn’t there, when you needed it?
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
If you are driving along the freeway at full speed and you see multiple brake lights ahead, it’s a good sign that you should be prepared or start to do the same. If you are paying attention and everything works well on your vehicle, then you keep yourself and those around you safe. When something on our vehicle is not working as it should, it’s a good sign you need to have it checked out. What are some signs in your own life that are indicators that you need to get help, or change what you are doing? If you notice you are having trouble relating to others, getting frustrated, having meltdowns, not sleeping well, engaging in unhealthy and risky behaviors, breaking the law, etc. These should be warning signs that things are not running as they should. Are there any warning lights going off in your life right now?
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Most of us can say we should be doing some things better, but if we ask others, or take a hard look at our lives, we may discover things that we can work on and fine tune to keep our physical, mental, and spiritual selves running well. If we exam our lives and can see the things listed as the Fruits of the Spirit, then we may be running well. If there is little evidence of such fruit, then taking a closer look at the cause of this is justified. Asking God, and other trusted friends or family to help you see where things are not working well is always a good starting point. May you find what you need, be able to stop things when needed, and be able to move forward in your faith as you go!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Yours in Christ,
Clark
