From: Roger Walls [rwalls@theharvestchurch.org]
Subject:
Tuesday's Tune-Up, 11/14/06
Dings
I'm pretty
sure my Father raised me right. OK, my Mom did too. But with this,
it was my Dad:
He will
forever park in the farthest parking spot from the store
entrance.
Not for
health reasons.
Not
because he enjoys being outside, though he does.
Not for
the walk.
It's only
to prevent door dings. And he's right on, in my mind at
least.
He taught
me to have an eye for things like that. And along with that 'eye',
especially in terms of taking care of your vehicle, is the appreciation of the
vehicle in general. The whole thing is definitely hereditary. My
brothers and I have all had our money-hole-projects.
For my
older brother, it was a late 60's model Ford pickup.
For my
younger brother, it is the '67 Chevelle he is currently pouring money
into.
For me,
it's the '67 Camaro that sets in the garage.
We've all
learned a lot, and we've all had great and unforgettable experiences with our
cars. Ask me about the time my tire fell off. Or maybe about the
time my hood flew off.
Along with
the appreciation of and care of classics is the idea that you should always take
care of your stuff. Old or new. And I've got my eye on something
new.
It's the
4-door Dodge Ram 1500, and it's at least a 10 year
goal--probably more like 15. It's a great looking truck, and I see them
all over the place.
Shiny.
Clean.
Big.
Tough.
Tall.
Dinged?
The other
day I was heading home from the office and pulled up along side one of these
trucks. (Man they look good.) It was the time of day
when the sun is starting to set in the west, shadows are getting longer, the air
is turning cooler and all of creation takes on a rich golden
hue.
Everything
looks fantastic in that light, including that truck.
Including
the dings--OK maybe they don't look so great. And God spoke to
me.
What that
truck represents is not what it's all about. Not even
close.
Regardless
of the care I give the truck.
No matter
how far out I park in the parking lot.
It makes
no difference how regular I change the oil.
Or how
often I rotate the tires.
Or wash
it.
In the
end...
When it
comes down to it...
The bottom
line is...
It's only
a thing. It's just part of the stuff that will one day be no more.
It's just stuff.
In the
grand scheme of things, the worth that truck holds is zero at worst, minimal at
best.
'It's' not
where 'it's' at.
So should
you not park in the farthest spot at the store?
Should you
not change the oil?
Should you
not paint the house?
Should you
not wash your clothes and instead buy new ones?
Should you
not save the leftovers?
Should you
not care for your stuff?
No
way.
God has
given us charge over all that we have, and is watching us as we manage our
things well or unwisely.
We will
one day be held accountable for what we have or haven't
done.
God wants
us to handle our stuff wisely...
...as long
as we remember this...
It's all
just stuff. Dings and all.
Act Justly - Love Mercy - Walk
Humbly,
Roger
W.
rwalls@theHarvestChurch.org
rogerwalls@sbcglobal.net
817-485-2703
ext. 222