Running Rough

Bible Reading: Psalm 26:1-3; 139:23-24

“What’s wrong with the car, Daddy?” asked five-year-old Ellery as the family drove to their country home after a church service in the village. “It’s jerking.”

“It’s sure running rough,” said Dad. “It’s been doing that lately, but it’s never been this bad before.”

“Are we going to make it home?” Ellery peered through the window at the trees lining the steep drop at the side of the road.

“Sure, we’ll make it,” said Ellery’s older brother, Barrett. “We always do.”

The car slowly climbed a long, steep hill. Dad pushed the accelerator pedal to the floor, but the car refused to speed up. Dad frowned. “I must say, I’m annoyed with myself for not checking this out sooner,” he said. “I should have taken the car to the mechanic when I first noticed it wasn’t running smoothly.”

“I think it’s getting worse,” said Barrett. He wasn’t so sure they’d make it home after all.

Mom sighed. “Well, at least we’re close enough to home that we can walk the rest of the way if we have to, but we’d have a long uphill hike.”

“I guess the car needs regular checkups just like we do,” said Barrett. “Like Pastor Kim said this morning—have a checkup every day, and if you see a trouble spot, take care of the problem before it gets worse.”

“Our car needs a checkup every day?” Ellery asked, puzzled.

Barrett laughed. “No, we do! We need to remind ourselves every day of all Jesus has done for us and who we are in Him, and if we see any trouble spots of sin, confess them to Him right away. Jesus will forgive us so we can run smoothly again.”

To the relief of the whole family, the car kept going and they finally reached their driveway. “Well, I hope you’ll remember this lesson about doing regular checkups on your life,” said Dad, “because I don’t intend to let this car teach us that lesson again. Tomorrow it goes to the mechanic to be fixed!” – Emilia D. Nichols

How About You?

Do you do regular checkups on your life? Do you remember all that Jesus has done for you and who you are in Him every day? When you do that, you may see trouble spots of sin in your life that don’t match up to how He wants you to live. If so, confess them to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. Then keep doing checkups to make sure you’re living in light of all He’s done for you.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God…see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Today’s Key Thought:

Examine your life daily