One of my techs at Land Rover was Bruce, a good guy, helpful, outgoing,
would tackle any job given to him. He wasn’t fast, as Land Rovers were
difficult to work on. By design, they had English heritage with German innards
and had just been bought by an Indian company. And on any given day you could
work on 3-4 cars, each one that had been owned by a different company that had
owned Land Rover. Bruce had been given a car imported via Mexico, a diesel not
sold in the US of A, and was doing a service on it. Without checking to see how
much oil it held, he assumed it was like all the other V-8’s, but never looked
to see how much in the shop manuals. Keeping an eye on it, he got distracted,
thought he was done, and went to start the car. Which never did, but made some
strange noises, ever for the model. And immediately the others in the shop knew
what had happened, and so did Bruce. It turned out he had put 26 quarts of oil
in the engine, and when he went to start it the engine went into hydraulic
lock. Gas can be compressed, solids will break, but liquids will not compress,
hence their efficient use in hydraulics. When the engine tried to start, the
oil forced the internals to fail, as the oil would not give way. And Bruce
worked on his last car for us, at his expense. Not sure of the final outcome or
price, but it was in the $8-9000 range. I’m only glad I didn’t have to be the
one to call the customer. “Your oil change will take a bit longer, as we have
to rebuild your engine. But the good thing is it is under warranty...”
I had seen techs make mistakes like this before, but had caught it in time,
never starting the engine. Bruce learned an important lesson that day, I’ll bet
he always checks the dipstick now, one simple look at it could have prevented
the mishap, and saved his job. But so would have paying attention, so always
check the dipstick just to make sure. In a world of too much is just enough,
too much proved expensive. Engines can operate for awhile while low, when the
light comes on it is not to warn, but to tell you get out your VISA, it is
rebuild time. Watching the oil pressure gauge may help, but there is no
substitute for doing it right, and then checking the dipstick. And then their
is Mercedes Benz, whose engines have no dipsticks, but sensors that warn
you...never is there a better time to “trust your car to the man who wears the
star” as the old Texaco ads used to say. A few seconds of checking, after
referring to the owner’s manual can save you money and heartache. And
money.
But to many reading the owner’s manual is like praying. The only time they
do it is after exhausting all other alternatives. After trying to figure it out
with our limited understanding, we then decide to pray. Or consult the manual
to see what that red light on the dash means. Or where to find the dipstick and
how to read it. A friend in high school once drove her dad’s car 15 miles with
the red oil light on, coasting the last few blocks thinking she was out of gas.
Perfectly fitting the statement “she was a little low on the dipstick.” Her “I
didn’t know Daddy” cost Daddy a lot, and her her driving privleges. In this
case it was “her father’s Oldsmobile...”
There is time when prayer is first aid, “God I need your help...” and
times when you need advice, or understanding. The saddest thing I hear in
hospitals is “the doctors have done all they can, I guess it’s time to pray.”
Same with reading the Bible, and spending time with God. We never have a few
moments to read before, but can always find the time after the crisis. If only
we had spent time in God’s Word before, we may have avoided an issue, or known
how to react the way God would have. And old Parable song maybe says it best,
“take the time to read, Jesus took the time to bleed... for our souls.” “But I
don’t get it when I read. It is so complicated.” Maybe it is, or can be, but
we forget that the spirit reveals the mysteries of Christ, so read it after
praying. “God help me understand.” And don’t try to read it all, ask him and
then follow his leading. The more time you spend in the Word, the more you get
to know God, and your relationship grows. And many times you can avoid problems
because you knew what to do, and when. All by his spirit, and then backing it
up in the Bible. Studying to find yourself approved. Yet many are taught to
study like we did in school, where we soon forgot after the test. We didn’t
study to learn, but to be approved at test time. A few years back I met a man
who was trying to get closer to God. He was in his third year of reading the
entire Bible through in a year, and was studying John for the umpteenth time.
When I asked him about the spirit guiding his time, and if the time was precious
to him, his blank look told all. And then a smile covered his face, “now I get
it, the spirit.” He had been trying it on his own, or as someone told him, and
had never considered the Holy Spirit. But once he did, his life changed.
Next time you are asked “are you in the word?” reply as I do, “is the word
in you?” Are you led by the holy spirit or by another, your own? The spirit
guides, gives comfort, protects, sets us free,and always points us to Jesus. In
a gentlemanly manner. God isn’t rude, but kind and gentle. Just what we need
in a time of trouble. Sadly many yell, but no words can ever express what we
are telling ourselves. Jesus forgives, but do we forgive ourselves?
I may not understand everything in the Bible, but when I need it God calls
to mind what I have read. Confirming what his spirit has told me. Giving me
comfort in the midst of the trouble. So refer to God’s owner’s manual daily.
Techs get weekly updates, and are in school a few times a year. To stay
informed. Shouldn’t you? I mean, it’s only your life....so always refer to his
owner’s manual. And avoid finding out how much stupid hurts. God is forgiving,
and you only get mercy after you screw up. His grace is sufficient. By his
spirit, backed up by his word. Take the time to read, Jesus took the time to
bleed. Dipstick.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com