Pensamientos para hoy (afterthought for today)
Don't let the church get rusty!
I like to ride bikes. I also enjoy fixing up old bikes. Over the years I've found several bikes that were set out by the curb for the junk man. Some of these old bikes are in very bad condition, and it takes a lot of work to get them back in running order. Sometimes all I can do is "cannibalize" the bike for its good parts. Sometimes everything on a bike is too rusty and the frame isn't worth the time and money it would take to fix it. Recently, however, I found a really nice bike that had been put out for the junk man. The bike is a Japanese built Panasonic ten speed. These Panasonics have a reputation for being good bikes, so I decided to see if I could fix it up. It had obviously been sitting outside in someone's yard and had old dried-up vines entwined around the spokes of its wheels. The chain was so rusted it would no longer flex, and the tires were badly rotted from sitting in the sun for too long. But as I began to clean off the old vines and dirt, I found to my surprise that other than the rusted chain it had little other rust. In fact the bike is in very good condition, and it didn't take long to clean it up. All it really needed was a new chain, new tires, and a new seat; and now that I have replaced these old parts I have a really nice looking bike. Fixing up these old discarded bikes makes me wonder why their previous owners allowed their bikes to rust and break down. Sometimes I find obvious signs of neglect. A bent wheel frame and torn seat tells me that someone abused the bike. Weeds and vines on the bike is evidence that someone kept it outside where the rain and sun could cause a lot of damage. Worn tires and brake pads tell me that the bike's owner didn't maintain it properly. But bikes aren't the only things that can suffer from neglect and abuse. A church can also suffer in similar ways. If we don't maintain the ministries of our church they can suffer. We need to keep all the "parts" clean and running smooth. In other words, pay attention to each ministry. Notice if the wheels are wobbly, or some parts are getting rusty. We won't get far if the "parts" of the church are getting worn out or otherwise ineffective. The church can't move forward unless all the "parts" are working properly. Sometimes a little lubrication is helpful. The "oil" of the Spirit needs to be applied to the moving parts to eliminate friction and help the church work together. Some churches have ended up in the junk pile because of neglect and abuse. I don't know the people who were responsible for such a sad ending, but God knows. Let's remember what the Bible says:For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).1Trying to apply preventive maintenance, Pastor Steve
Footnotes1 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, NIV (New International Version). Unless otherwise noted all references to the Bible will be from the NIV.
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