Life Lessons from a Pick-up Truck

Most of us spend a significant percentage of our days in the car, clicking off miles to and from work, running errands, shuttling children or heading out for some recreation.  Most of us hop in, turn the key and go without much thought as to how it all works or even if it will continue working ? we just assume it will keep going.  We trust that all will be fine in the journey.

HFI staff member, Jack Schreiner, shared a great truck story at a recent staff meeting.

Before moving to War, West Virginia to assist in Hope Force International's Appalachian work, Jack ran his own construction company. Such responsibility required him to own a big truck to carry supplies and tools back and forth to job sites. Jack?s 1998 half-ton truck that he had used for years, seemed to be broken down more often than not. 

During that time, the owner?s manual rarely came out of the glove box.  Jack changed the oil, checked the tires and did a few other basic upkeep items.  However, he never took time to actually read the manual or pay attention to the maintenance checklist. As time passed, the radiator overheated, the rear differential needed replacement -- and Jack?s frustration grew.

As demands of his business increased, the need for a dependable vehicle won out? and Jack bought a new truck.  Anxious about the expense and hoping to get a long repair-free life from the new purchase, he listened to a gathering of friends offer advice.  ?Use this oi!  No, this one!?.  Suddenly, the father of his buddy voiced above the chatter. ?No matter what anyone says, just read the owner?s manual cover to cover and maintain your truck exactly that way. Then, you?ll be fine. These others in the room didn?t make the truck - so their opinion is not the best!"      

Jack bought the new truck and read the manual cover to cover.  As he began to do so, he realized so many steps that could have helped his old truck along the way. The roadmap was so very clear, but he?d never bothered to study it.

One day driving the new truck, Jack experienced one of those lifetime "ah-ha" moments. Carmakers build vehicles with deep understanding of how each part works and therefore, are the experts in writing the manual of care for that vehicle. How much more God?.who created each of us uniquely, knows our frame intimately and understands how we can best live. He?s written His own manual about us: the Bible. If we would just take time to read and study, understand some principles and trust the directions?how much better our days would flow and how many frustrations could be avoided!