My Broken Car

Season 2 Episode 25 - Are there spiritual lessons we can learn from a broken car?  I sure did!  Listen and find out the lesson I learned from my broken car, and see how this lesson applies to all of life.

Please consider supporting Manufacture Good, an amazing Christian ministry described in a recent bonus episode.  www.manufacturegood.org 

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, subscribe/follow it, and leave a favorable rating and review, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily.
 
Resources that inspired some episodes:

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Blog by Seth Lewis:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  The sale of the high-quality furniture they produce, and donations from people who believe in their vision, support the ministry.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4-minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.    
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free public domain resources (and many other resources for purchase), including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, devotionals, and maps.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all 

Transcript

Years ago, on a Saturday, I had great plans to get a lot of projects done, while my wife was at a women’s conference.  Throughout the week leading up to Saturday, I had compiled a list of projects and the necessary supplies to accomplish them.  On Saturday morning, I spent time with the Lord and then backed my car out of the garage, parked it on the driveway, and began my projects in the garage.  Then I got my list and got in the car to go buy the supplies.  But the car was now dead – the starter would not even turn over.  After a little troubleshooting, I determined that the battery was fine, but the starter had died.  

“God, are You kidding me?  This is going to totally derail my plans for today!”  Then God gently reminded me of something that my wife and I had been learning at that time, and have continued to learn in the years that followed:

We must give thanks for everything (by looking at the blessings that God has given in the past), and give thanks in everything (by thanking God even in the midst of challenging circumstances):

Ephesians 5:20 NASB  always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB  in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Application:  In every situation we encounter in this physical world, we are to give thanks to God.  This attitude of thanks allows us to enter into (and dwell within) the secret place of God  in our spiritual lives:

Psalms 91:1 NIV  Whoever dwells in the shelter [the secret place, the protection] of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

If we do not have an attitude of thanks in everything, then we demonstrate a lack of trust in God to do all things well in our lives, and a lack of trust in God’s complete and unlimited power in our lives:

Mark 7:37a NASB  They were utterly astonished, saying, "He has done all things well."

Ephesians 1:18-19a NASB  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  (19)  and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.   [These verses serve as reminders of God's omnipotence and the assurance that nothing is beyond His control or ability to redeem. They inspire us as believers to trust in God's power and to respond with faith, trust, and obedience.]

Only after I had paused to give God thanks for this car failure did it hit me:  this was such an act of mercy on God’s behalf toward me.  That starter was the original starter – 17 years old, with over 220,000 miles of use!  God had not only blessed its useful life, but had orchestrated its failure to be in the absolute most convenient way for me to take care of it.  It failed at home (not leaving me stranded somewhere away from home) -- and in the driveway (instead of the garage), where I had room to work on it.  

I spent most of the day locating a starter, watching YouTube videos of how to replace it, and then doing the repair.  Since my wife had ridden to the conference with some friends, I even had her car available to go pick up the new starter!  (And I did end up having enough time to also pick up the supplies on my list, and even complete a few of my projects.)

Abraham Lincoln said, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

O God, thank You for reminding me again of the importance of having an attitude of gratitude in every situation.  Give me the grace to always pause and thank You, whether I am feeling blessed or burdened in the situation.  It is only by first thanking You, that I am then able to see Your ultimate purposes in the challenges I am facing.  Even more importantly, thanksgiving is the prerequisite for enjoying Your presence in our lives.  

Psalm 100:4 NASB  Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”