Old question from the seventies-How many people does it take to change a light bulb? Answer-it depends on how much the bulb really wants to change!
My mission last Wednesday was to fix little things on the company fleet that I had been neglecting. With winter temps and rain coming our way, it was time to get the S-10 and Uncle Buck ready to drive, when needed. Changed the oil and air filter on the Chevy, and decided to replace the headlight that was filled with water. So down to the auto parts store I go-trip one. Air filter-only took two tries. "I don't care if that is what the computer says-" as he hands me a round filter-"the one in my truck is square," so back to the computer, and looking it up correctly this time, finds the right one-at two times the price of the wrong one. Now for headlights.
"It's a 9003," he says as I stop him in midstride. I used to sell car parts-this is an old style sealed beam, not a bulb for sculptured lights. Again the computer excuse, then try two tells him its the square one. So I ask him, and he swears it is the right one-until I get home and it isn't. So jumping into Uncle Buck, my 1990 Ford Crown Victoria LX, I drive back and get the right one-after I called and the manager explains to me he has the right one I need. "Been doing this for 20 years." Didn't say if he had gotten it right yet. So exchanging sealed beams, I decide to replace the one on the Ford. "Give me two," and I'm off. Chevy done, lights work, all is well in the driveway. Onto Uncle Buck. But the sealed beam is wrong. Remember the old days when Ford and Chevy were still big enough to do things their way, even when the parts were the same? Well they obviously were still big in 1990, because although the bulbs fit, they used a different plug. So...back again after calling, and being on hold for over 8 minutes. They had it waiting, were apologetic, and we all learned something that day. I wish patience had been one of them, but I was reminded how perseverance can be a key to success when all other talents fail. And as we drove to church that night in Uncle Buck, I could see the road-I had lights! In one day I had brought light to both a Ford and a Chevy-they all got along. Never imaginable just a generation ago, but in today's world, they were at peace. And although I hear this Japanese company Toyota wants a piece of them....I'll stick with my made in the US of A products!
Have you ever given good advice only to see the person fail when it wasn't taken? Have you ever been given good advice and not taken it? And wondered why it cost more in time, money, and aggravation? Remember this when sharing Jesus with someone. And remember how long it took you. All the "intelligent" arguments you had, until you saw the light-no pun intended. So be aware next time you share. It isn't about your great Bible knowledge, where you go to church, your "gift" for evangelism, or anything you can do on your own. It is about Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit that changes hearts, and lives-not you. The great commission isn't to argue them into heaven-sadly this is misquoted, you are to disciple them after they get saved. Which can be a harder job-because there again it takes the Holy Spirit to guide them into all knowledge. So remember, when asked how many people does it take to make someone a Christian, it only takes one-the Holy Spirit! You can't save anyone! So be thankful that Jesus does change lives. Not by might-even though your arguments are sound and good, not by power-even though the promises are true, but by His spirit-the only thing that can save us! For change comes about from within, and affects without, not the opposite. And just a note of reminder-once you start to argue, stop! Just the argument shows you have lost it! So...let God do God's job, and watch as lives change-just like yours did when He saved you.
Patience leads to salvation-God's patience. Perseverance is not a bad thing-it just doesn't save, only Jesus does. And a note to us all-it only took three times to get the right lights-asking the right questions could have saved me two trips. So ask! And seek the truth!
God loves questions-it's up to us to go with His answers. Which by the way, are always right-the first time! Now, how much do you really want to change?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com