Finding a technician who takes the time to properly diagnose a problem is a
rare find these days. So many are taught, sadly, by the factory to plug in
parts until they find the problem, hoping by doing so they find a bad part.
Even guided by the computers supplied by the factory. Following the flow chart
as to which part is next in line, no diagnostic thinking is necessary and rarely
present, just follow the instructions. And by magic, the problem is solved. Or
is it....
A man with a fuel gauge problem turned out to be a fuel tank leak. His
description of every time I fill up after a few miles the gauge goes to 3/4 was
apt, and after a few gauges replaced in error, one thoughtful tech noticed fuel
leaking from near the top of the tank. When the level dropped below the hole,
it quit leaking. No amount of gauges would fix that, I once had a friend who
had a similar problem with his motorcycle, so he only filled it half way,
symptom solved, the tank never leaked unless it was filled. We once bought a
new 1992 Ford Ranger, that would stall when put I reverse. After too many trips
to the dealer, we were about to enact the lemon law when the service manager
took me for a ride. One enterprising tech had been under the truck, and noticed
when put in reverse, the linkage pulled on a misrouted wire loom, causing it to
pull away just enough to lose contact, and when shifted out of reverse made
contact again. Sometimes the problem is in plain sight, if you look, or know
where to look...like an old German tech showed me one day at Mercedes
Benz.
A woman came in complaining her AC didn’t work. He reached under the hood,
replaced the blower fuse, and it worked. “How much?” she asked. “$20?” “For a
fuse?” “Yes, but I knew which fuse.” And that the AC worked, the fan didn’t.
Later that lesson in a variation helped me detect an AC loss on another truck.
After checking the freon charge, still no air. After reading which relay was
for the blower, I switched it out, and amazed even myself, the relay was bad.
Saved myself almost $100 for an AC diagnosis, which may have missed the relay.
So often the symptoms are addressed, while the problem remains unsolved.
Finally a man came in and was upset his new S class wouldn’t rev past 4000 rpm
in idle? When asked “why would you do that?” he didn’t know, he just thought I
should. He was happy to hear the car was designed that way. While another
techie came in with 48 problems with his new E class, no problems found, he
hadn’t read the book. “It’s not like my Toyota,” he complained, oh what a
feeling. We always wondered how people could make so much money to afford a
luxury car, yet not be smart enough to drive one.
And the man when I worked at Ford in Durango, who coasted nine miles down
the hill into town, his pickup with a camper on back and his family trying to
save gas. And when he tried to stop, literally melted the pads to the front
rotors. He came in, the truck pushing the front wheels that wouldn’t turn. And
left the same way, stupid is not a warranty offense. Promising he will never
buy a Ford again, which we all hoped he wouldn’t. He and the E class owner
would make great neighbors.
Life has taught me the only thing that can overcome stupid is grace. While
we try to cheap out, misdiagnose, or even worse blame someone else for our
stupidity, laziness, or lack of patience, God’s grace has gone before us to
provide the answers we need. We are created to do good works, the grace within
us given as a gift, supplying all we need in the situation. Yet we lose it, run
out of gas, blame the factory, and hire attorneys to cover our tracks. With too
many times only the attorney winning, he gets paid anyway. We look at the new
car, new motorcycle, or new computer as a masterpiece, better than its
predecessor, but fail to see the creator of us is still greater than all
creations. And in knowing which problems we would have ahead of time, so
prepared those needed to fix it when we do. Many times without our help or
assistance. If only we could see that in each situation God is wanting to show
his sufficiency and love to us, we might approach a problem differently. He is
working in our lives to show his love, compassion, his kindness and mercy in
helping others. Which starts with salvation, a gift lest we should boast.
Jesus was and is in the business of meeting needs, putting the right people in
the right place ahead of time knowing we will need them.
After being air flighted and having my aorta replaced, a chaplain gave
Theresa Isaiah 65:24, “God has everything under control, and has the answer even
before you ask. And it is in process!” Stop and consider that scripture, just
might change your whiny prayers to God. And see Jesus in a new light. As the
great shepherd he leads and clears a path to protect his flock. We will
encounter problems and dilemmas, but seeking him first, listening for his answer
is better than just complaining and questioning if he hears. He does, do we?
Do we use the ears he has given us? Are we the fuse that is blown, or the leaky
tank showing empty? Do we try to solve the problems ourselves rather than seek
the one who created us? If only we listened more and talked less...just doing
what God wants us to do and nothing more. For example...
When my father in law went into a nursing home for Alzheimer’s, my son
Andrew found one close and fitting both his and our needs. He knew nothing
about them, the spirit led him to where he should put Papa. Close enough my
wife could visit him everyday and attend to him. Doing only what she needed to
do,while her sister had power of attorney. Each had a part to play, and when
listening to the spirit, it worked. Did you ever stop to consider all the good
works God may have for you if you only listen and trust? Then act? The
situations will be there, we don’t have to form a search party for them, God
will present them. Just like he did for Lazarus and a certain rich man who
stepped over him. How different the story would have ended if the rich man had
dealt with Lazarus instead of stepping over him. He missed God’s grace, and
instead got the reward he deserved, hell. Are we missing out the things of
heaven by stepping over a Lazarus God has prepared for us today? Are still
trying to adopt new philosophies, ideas, or ways to do things to have the
situation match you? Or are you changing to match the Lord? Your witness can
show the greatness of God, or the folly of your self. And we can tell the
difference, even if you think we can’t. Do you still wonder why Jesus says “he
who has an ear let him hear,” and not he who has a mouth let him speak? Are you
listening to the spirit or religion? Still blaming others, when you cannot see
the log in your own eye? Or are you still behaving like the guy whose tire
weighs too much. The reason, it has 35 pounds of air in it, and lets some out,
trying to lighten the load while ending up with a flat tire. An old friend
Bruce once threw his car into R, which he was told stood for racing gear at 40
mph. Now he knows what it stands for, do you?
Yet God gives us the freedom of choice, we can choose Jesus and heaven, or
choose hell and death. We can see the wonders of heaven on earth, or neglect
the love our father has here for us. We can search and not find, because we do
not like his answer. Consider yourself in this short story of two men. One
over a seven year period failed in business multiple times. But each time grew
stronger, and finally succeeded. Becoming rich and famous, powerful and
influential. The other studied for seven years, never wanting to fail, and when
he started out seven years later, he was a failure. He never experienced what
he was taught, just theory and thought failing meant failure. To many live
Christian life based on education, not a Christian experience. Tripping over
words, not basking in his grace. What does your life share, education or
experience? What does you testimony say about God? We are his workmanship,
created and prepared to do great works through Christ Jesus. God prepared the
situations in advance, and has the answers. Do you want the answer? Simple,
Jesus. Still asking, Jesus again. The first and last, but also the in
between. Are you that guy looking at the new bikes in the window, or the one
riding off on one? These thing shall follow them that believe.....and
trust.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com