A ride to the store the other day, with Theresa driving, had us sitting at
a red light, that seemed like it took forever. So rather than letting the radio
scan for the over a million stations, with nothing on, a variation of cable, 200
stations with nothing to watch, I opened up the glove box. Now it had been
awhile since I was in it, the truck and glove box. Now these handy catchalls
were designed for gloves, obviously in winter climes, as we don’t need them
here. But after finding no gloves, big surprise, the search was on. An owners
manual, that only I have opened to read. All others who need something refer to
me rather than opening the book. Too much energy I guess. A few years of
expired registrations, fortunately the current one was there. Same with
insurance cards, hope I never need either one. A few pens, of which none would
write, seems they didn’t last time I looked, so I just threw them back in,
again. Napkins, for an occasional nose emergency, we don’t eat in our cars,
which is why they look like our cars instead of yours. A tire warranty that had
expired, put it back too, never know if I might need it. An old race day
ticket, still on the necklace. Save it for later too. An empty CD case, not
mine, back it went too. And with that the light turned green, and away we
go.
At the next light, it was the center console. Which is designed so you
cannot access it comfortably from the driver’s side. I guess you need a
co-driver for this one. This one had about 8 CD’s in, I wondered where my The
Wild One soundtrack had gone. Again some empty cases, where did the CD’s go?
And some with a different CD than the cover suggested, and one that held 3,
packed tightly against each other, careful not to scratch them. And another
green light and we were off. And while driving checking the pockets behind the
front seats, nothing of mine, and the door pockets holding some books, “I read
them,” I was told, although she couldn’t tell me the titles. And similiar dust
as found in center console and glove box. All this space, and nothing really
needed, unless you have an accident, and use your cell phone, by-passing the
insurance and registration in the glove box. And no gloves found anywhere! And
a quick look through the owners manual, reveled no glove boxes on any vehicle,
they are now referred to as “vehicle storage compartments.” Tell that to the
guy stuck in a cubicle!
I sit with a guy in Bible study, and he lets me share his Bible with him.
I never take notes, I listen and my mind wanders with the spirit while the
teacher is teaching. Making it personal. But in this particular Bible, with
numerous highlighted verse, maybe it is the non-highlighted verses that have
meaning, as the blue and yellow verse, some a strange tone of red verse of
Jesus’ words and yellow, but how can he find anything? The third from the top
yellow verse, above the second blue one, and how does he find anything? Now he
isn’t so trendy to have a Bible cover on his book, the girl next to me does.
And as she opens it, the pages of notes fall out, and then put back. So thick
it is causing the binding to stretch and crack, and when asked if she ever reads
them, her smile tells me no. She is a note taker, and then stores them away for
future use. Or to be used as refuse and thrown away. All those notes, at once
they were personal....I used to sit by an older couple, she had the tabs for
each book attached, and always found it easier to ask the person next to her
“where is the book of....?” And the person next to her usually finding the
correct tab and turning the page for her. Now the above examples may be
extreme, are they? But they may describe people who study the Bible, even read
it, but it never becomes personal. Like my glove box, no gloves but all kinds
of things stored, but never used. But never thrown out, “just in case I ever
need a pen that doesn’t write.”
Now I was a lousy student, particularly at taking notes, and like most of
you, studied to pass the test, with the side benefit of occasionally learning
something. Study habits, both good and bad, but that should not be tied to a
relationship with Christ. As Christians we are citizens of heaven, and the
Bible should mean more to us than a study tool. We have the holy spirit, and
rather than memorize a verse for testing, God will write it on our hearts. So
it is never far from us. It is the spirit that reveals the mysteries of Christ
to us, we may have read the Bible many times over, but has it changed us? Do we
study to find ourselves approved by a pastor, teacher, or class, do we get to
know all about Jesus, but never know him? The Christian life should be lived by
a different set of processes, it should be from the spirit, to the heart,
resulting in the renewing of the mind. Christianity is Jesus in you, driven by
the spirit, not trends or study habits. Some days a verse will do, some days a
chapter. God is all about quality over quantity, ever wonder why people are
more concerned about how much you care rather than how much you know?
There may be times you cannot recall the scripture, but know the concept or
application. Why Jesus spoke in parables, and quoted “it is written.” No
canonized scripture yet. He gave us his spirit, in just the right size, shape,
and container, our heart, so we can always have him with us. So if you are
asked “are you in the word?” the correct answer is “is the word in you?” and now
you know it always is. for he will never leave you nor forsake you. Much
different than the items in my vehicle compartments. Jesus is always with us
via his spirit!
So never stray from complete dependency on the Lord. Rote prayers, rote
answers, and rote memorization of verse may be impressive in church, but when
needed most, you always have Jesus. His spirit will give you the words you
need, sometimes before you ask. Still worrying about what to say, try listening
instead of talking or asking. Application of your education is ministry. Both
to you and the ones you meet. Paul tells us conduct ourselves in a worthy
manner, worthy of the gospel. Which is good news! Maybe it is time to clear
out your spiritual storage compartments and get personal with Jesus. Let him
grow your relationship, and increase your wisdom. Somewhere in all your notes
and highlighting his love is trying to reach out and touch you. Maybe that
cluttered Bible explains your cluttered life? Clean it out today, file it for
later. Ask Jesus to guide your studies, approved by him. When the spirit moves
on you, the Bible comes alive personally, and the notes are written on your
heart. Maybe a more worthwhile activity than cleaning out your glove box, ‘er
vehicle compartment. Somewhere among the notes is Jesus, just wanting to change
your life, will you let him?
We may not be able to find it in print sometimes, let the spirit give you
the words. Then back it up in scripture later. You will be tested, and if
along the side of the road, last years expired registration won’t cut it. If
you ask me to get something out of your glove box, what will I find? Depend on
God and forego discouragement. Trust the spirit of truth given by Jesus, and if
pulled over by a cop, and he asks for papers, say “scissors, I win.” An open
book test of life, I hope you pass. Only Jesus forgives, that’s one I am glad
is written on my heart! Some things are so hard to understand, it is much
easier just to trust.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com