This week’s devotional comes under practical advice for daily living by getting regular spiritual tune-ups so I am in step with God and ready to face whatever emergency comes along. I would love to hear your comments!
2MefromHim Devotional
The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. Proverbs 21:31
Life can often catch me off guard. As one of four sisters and no brothers, I never expected to know anything about cars. However, a husband who used to travel a lot and a move to a rural area made it necessary to learn. Cars will run a long time when proper maintenance and tune-ups are done on a regular basis.
I learned to use jumper cables and impressed the neighborhood ladies with my trusty battery charger. When we moved to the mountains I bought myself a combination charger and tire pump, knowing there would be times I was on my own. I learned to check oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and add the right amount in the correct place. It pays to be prepared.
Life is kind of like my car. I am far less stressed if I know what to do when something goes wrong. A little preparation gives me confidence, makes me independent and strong, and gives me the ability to determine what kind of help I need and where to find it.
One of my great joys is to take my Jeep up trails in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. A problem at 13,000 feet would be very difficult to deal with. The smart thing is to keep myself in a state of readiness so that as many problems as possible are prevented.
Emergencies can also take me off guard spiritually. However, reading scripture everyday enables me to react in a way that honors God without stopping to think. It helps me minister to someone else in their time of need. Praying before I start my day fills me with God’s peace and lowers my frustration level. Sometimes I see that God prepared me for something far ahead of time and my confidence in Him grows.
Regular tune-ups for my spiritual life enable me to face life with strength rather than weakness. I can better recognize God’s control and timing in the events of daily life. Life is easier when I am tuned up and tuned in to what God is doing, and preparation leads to victory over the things that catch me off guard.
© Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, May 21, 2015
About the author:
Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, released in April 2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 19 years. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the StitchesthruTime blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. She and her husband of 39 years have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
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LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2
Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
6 Comments
Love this analogy Norma. Thank you.
Thanks, Nan! I appreciate the comment!
I totally agree! Although I think our spiritual tune ups need to be much more frequent. Looking in that mirror daily, yes? (Ha, more like every other week for me, but I’m getting there!)
Sometimes I need it more than once a day! Thanks for commenting!
Is it terrible of me to admit that I am bad at both? I need some sort of check light to make me have any sort of tune up, automotive or spiritual.
I don’t think you’re alone, Amy! Thanks for your honesty!