The Breakdown

Let’s say that your old family car has run smoothly for some years, but through time you can hear and sense that some of the parts are getting worn and ‘tired’. The wee car keeps on going but it doesn’t feel quite the same as the day you drove it from the garage forecourt. Then the unexpected (yet anticipated) happens. It stops, right at the most inconvenient time and place and no amount of looking under the bonnet helps it to restart. The thing is, the signs were there but you either ignored them, and/or hoped they would get better (even if you are not really, fully surprised) all by themselves. Unfortunately, that’s not the way of it. The hard fact is that a car needs regular servicing and maintenance to make sure it doesn’t just stop when and where you don’t expect it (even if deep down you are not shocked).

Our life is just like our wee family car. We need regular servicing and maintenance, but where and who is best placed to perform the work? Our frame is a mixture of the physical, emotional and spiritual and each part needs its own attention if we are to stop it getting ‘rusty’ and failing. I wonder where you would place the biggest priority and spend the most time and effort? Might I suggest that the physical is easiest to handle, followed closely by the emotional? Some regular visits to the local gym, and/or a personal trainer will take care of these parts of our nature. But what about the spiritual part of our being?

Most of us would agree that we are more than skin, bone and tissue, and have a greater need in our spirit. The place we might differ is how to address that part of our ‘person’. Can I be bold enough to suggest a few things which I think would certainly help?

If you don’t have a Bible in the house, get one either from an understanding friend, or buy one for yourself. That way, it will always be there and always be yours! Secondly, find a local church where God is fully worshipped and the Gospel is preached. You will be sure of a welcome. If you get that far, (or even if you don’t), give praying to our God a chance. You can’t go wrong, and it will certainly help you get your whole being running properly again. You are important to God and others whether you think it or not. Your family and friends need you to be in good working order to be the best help you can be to them. After all, half of a man or woman is of little use to anyone.

That takes us back full circle to where we started. To give you the best chance of avoiding a breakdown, include a relationship with God in your life. Job Done.

Small Talk

I wasn’t feeling too well at all, and I was worried that the pain in my abdomen could have been something serious, so I went to A&E, gave my details and waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually the nurse showed me into a cubicle and told me to wait for the doctor on duty, who would be with me shortly. In all this time the pain was getting more acute, and my mind was turning somersaults. I was even more convinced something serious was wrong, but at least I was in the right place for treatment. They might even admit me to an acute ward.

Sure enough, this nice young doctor breezed in, sat down, and looked at me but was silent for what felt like ages. He asked me what my hobbies were, and what kind of family I came from. Then he asked my favourite colour, and football team. All the while he was smiling a big broad, friendly smile. Right, he said let’s get down to it, and I thought my problem was in the caring hands of the right person. Did you see the TV last night? What about the game? Did you see the second goal? That should never have been allowed, but these referees don’t always see everything, do they? They can’t possibly have eyes in the back of their heads.

Now I was getting panic stricken and the pain was unbearable. Fearing the worst, I blurted out, but what about my pain doctor? Can you help me? The young doctor looked puzzled and answered slowly, so that I could get the full import of his words. I am not long out of medical school, and the most important thing they taught us was to make the patient feel at ease. Strike up a conversation. Find a common subject to discuss. Ask about their family. Do you not see? That’s what I have been doing. It is essential that we make the patient feel comfortable in our company, and be able to think they can trust us.

But, but, what about my stomach pain I asked in irritation? Oh, he said, you’ll have to come back another time because we haven’t really got to know each other well enough just yet. Maybe then, we will be at a point where you can feel easier with me, and I can feel able to help you. Goodbye, please make another appointment on the way out. NEXT! (Ok, it’s a story, but you get my drift!)

The point? Don’t we want the doctor to do his job? And the Lawyer? And the Policeman or Policewoman? Right to the Plumber and Electrician in your home to fix a problem. You don’t want the small, friendly chit chat when your sink is backed up. You don’t want the tradesman to come back another time when he gets to know us better, do we? Stupid question. Why then is it wrong for us to expect our Pastors and church leaders to get down to their calling and point out our Spiritual areas of weakness as soon as they can? It isn’t really necessary to get alongside us with long small talk when we grieve and mourn. Or when we are facing a lost eternity. Doctor, Lawyer, or Minister, especially Pastors, please focus on the job at hand, or to be more exact, your vocation and calling. We respect you for that alone.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew10:28NIV