Continually Renewing

Since our yard is a little too big for a push mower, I have a rider mower. With some recent mechanical problems, the cutting deck was removed from the tractor until things are fixed. After looking at the small tractor and cutting deck, I realized there are things that should be updated. I have made several trips to the dealer getting the parts as I saw the need. It was working nicely, but not at its best. Why? There is upkeep that needs to be done. I need to replace a part here and there so that it can get back to what it was fully designed to do. Sound familiar? In our walk with God, we also need to continually be renewed by the Spirit. In Lamentations 3 we read, “Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” It is when we consider we are doing ok or not paying attention to our need for spiritual growth that we see things begin to break down. God’s own people fell away from faith multiple times in their history. It was never because God turned away, but that His people (us) turned away from Him. The big difference is that when the tractor needed repair it was my failure to keep up with the needs. When our spiritual walk with God is in jeopardy, it will never have been God’s fault. He created us to be in perfect unity with Him. The failure is not in God’s design. It is definitely not the fault of the One who created us. We thought we could get “more miles” out of this mortal body without the need for renewal or change. It is like running a motor without getting the oil changed. Without intervention, the motor will seize. With the oil changed regularly, the effectiveness of the mower will be close to optimal. Being renewed day by day in our faith renews our spirit. We need to stop worrying about what someone else with think of us and instead, we need to get totally honest with God. Have we been negligent with our time? Surrender that to God. Have we judged others instead of loving them as Christ does? Holy Spirit, change our hearts. Have we been faithful, not only in continue to grow in our knowledge of God and His word, but in living in out in our daily lives? Keep us faithful in Your word. Keep us steadfast each day. Father, we all need a spiritual tune up. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and direct our hearts. Amen