It is Important to have a Good Set of Tires:

Recently, I have had some tire issues.  Actually I have had two different problems with tires.  I had some problems with my car tires, including a nail in one, and in my bike tires.  In both sets of transportation, my tires were not filled to be as full as they should have been and they were not accepting air as easily.  I have really noticed the difference between driving with the flat tires as opposed to the now filled tires.  It was so much easier to drive on the tires that were properly filled with air.  The last couple of times, I have gone on bike rides, I have felt as though I was flying.  It felt so natural and smooth.  It has made my recent bike rides undeniably and incredibly better.  Driving around town in my car has also felt a lot better and smoother.  I feel as though I whip through town really fast.  

There is a metaphor in the Bible of building a house or shelter on a strong foundation as you build your faith on God as a strong foundation.  This can be found in Matthew 7:24-25 and it says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been found on the rock.”  That person was able to have protection from the terrible rain storm because their house was solidly placed. They were immovable. Similarly when a person has a strong foundation in their faith, they are not able to be moved by the trials that come from the people of this world.   

I believe that this idea of having filled tires is very similar to that metaphor.  The only addition I am going to suggest and make is that when it comes to these filled tires, there is the presence of moving or going forward, being able to go and be sent.  A house cannot move from its spot, that is really its whole point.  A car is a form of transportation and therefore is supposed to go from place to place, and that is its purpose.  Similarly, we as Christians are called to stay in our beliefs, like a house, but we are also sent to go as we are in a car.  

Have you ever felt as though you have been sent to do God’s work, but you are in the midst of feeling like you have flat tires.  You want to go, you want to serve, but the energy and the stamina is running out.  You’re tired, you’re anxious, and if we are being completely honest, you don’t have a lot of desire to actually go.  I know that I have felt that way.  There have been many times where I know that I should minister to someone, but the actual desire to put one foot in front of the other and talk to them or show them God’s love is dwindling.  I simply felt no desire to go about doing the good work that God was setting before me. 

I believe there are a few reasons we can mainly feel that way, and the first one is discouragement.  Maybe we thought we were making a breakthrough with someone.  We were showing them God’s love, we were sharing our faith with them, but they didn’t have any desire to go to church or learn more about God in a Bible Study.  Maybe you applied for a certain position within a church or Godly mission program, and you were not accepted.  There are going to be hiccups and bumps along our road of sharing and doing God’s work.  Those moments can be discouraging, and if we don’t have good “tires” or a good foundation, they can be almost debilitating.  

I would say another reason we can be this way is through comparison.  This is one that I personally struggle with.  Sometimes we can look over to our right or our left and see a shiny car that goes faster and sounds better and looks nicer, at least in our minds, and then we can start to compare our perfectly functional car.  Similarly, we can do this in our walk and servitude with Christ.  We can look around us and see others who seem to be doing better and going farther with their walk with Christ and in their service to Christ than we could ever imagine for ourselves.  This type of comparison can sometimes lead to a thought that no matter what we do, it will not matter.  We are not them.  We are not able to do the things that they are doing.  

Just like our tires in our areas of transportation that need to be serviced, so do the tires in our spiritual and emotional life.  I believe the best thing I have found when it comes to taking care of myself spiritually and emotionally is through going to church and through meeting with other believers.  There are, of course, the things that we can do alone such as reading the Bible, praying, or listening to worship songs, but there is something great about being able to meet with other believers and have them bring truth and love into your life.  It is a chance to tell them the areas where you have been struggling and to ask for prayer requests.  It is the chance to listen to their wisdom and their encouragement.  It is a great opportunity to feel the Holy Spirit amidst more than just yourself.  Plus, they can be seen as a person to keep you accountable in your personal service to God.  

This being said, I will bring you two challenges this week.  First, how are your “tires”? (I am referring to the spiritual and the emotional tires, but it is always good to check the physical tires on any of your transportation items, so maybe this is a good week to do that as well).  How are you feeling spiritually? Do you feel burnt out or upset?  Or do you feel ready to go to take on the world and to spread the word about Christ?  Then the second is to find that church friend that you can talk to about any of the issues that you may be having in your spiritual life.  I know there are so many Christians and people to talk to that will want to help you grow closer to God.  I pray you find some good ones.  I also pray that you are ready to start up your engines, because we have some good work to accomplish for our Lord.