Dead Car Battery

Happy New Year!

In the fall, I traded my 2004 Toyota Tundra for a newer more reliable vehicle. Although the old truck still made the daily commute to MC, I could tell that it was beginning to struggle. The new vehicle came equipped with updated technology (even though I did really miss the truck's cassette tape player.) With technological advancements such as a camera that helped me back up and a hatch that opened with the push of a button on the key fob, I quickly forgot about old truck and transitioned into driving the updated vehicle.

One rainy morning, my wife informed me that the back hatch was up. Unfortunately, I was not accustomed to the new bells and whistles and had inadvertently hit the hatch key fob button before going to bed the night before. This resulted in a dead battery! No problem. I figured that I would simply use my wife's car to jump the new vehicle, so I ran out into the rain while my wife watched from inside and connected jumper cables to both cars. I pushed the start button, but nothing happened. I tried again and still; the vehicle did not turn over. Frustrated, I drove the other car to school.

That night, I called a neighbor to help. Together, we spent thirty minutes trying to get the car to start to no avail. I thanked my neighbor and then went inside to search the Internet for a solution. After an hour of surfing, I could not find an answer. My new vehicle sat in the driveway, dead and I began to miss my Toyota Tundra.

My wife recommended I call a road service to help. I resisted her suggestion for a day because it hurt my pride to admit that I needed help. However, I finally made the call. A young man in disheveled overalls showed up at my door. I was not impressed with his appearance, but he walked over to my car, hooked up his cables and the car immediately turned over and started. I was astounded.

I reflected on what had just happened. My best efforts had failed to provide my car with the power it needed. My faith rested in my ability to supply the power, but I needed to reach out to the right person with different abilities to help solve my crisis.

It made me think about how often this situation was mirrored in my spiritual life. How often did I try to do things on my own and get frustrated by the results instead of calling on Him who has the ability and power to provide the answers we seek. Our Lord Jesus Christ "is not a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses..." (Hebrews 4:15). He understands and is "is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46). Just like the young road service guy, Christ says, "I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..." (Revelation 3:20).

May we all remember the strength and power Christ provides as we enter the New Year.