Thought for the Month - June 2011

"Michelin Man" By Barry Adair

(when the rubber hits the road)

A friend of mine used to work for a tyre company. I'll call him 'Michelin Man'.

This was in the day when re-moulds (remoulded tyres) were a cheap alternative to new tyres. At this company, they would take a well-used tyre and examine it thoroughly. After the visual check, it was then pulled in different directions to see if it contained any major cracks. Then the tyre was put through a special furnace, where under a high heat, a new rubber tread was added to it. And the end result? Why, the tyre was totally renewed. It was ready again to perform the job it was designed to do. And it was able to last for perhaps the same number of miles that the previous worn one had already travelled!

Michelin Man’s experience got me thinking. He had likened that tyre to each one of us. At times we can be stretched and tested. We can go through times of unbearable heat and pressure. And as for the reason behind it all, could it be that we too are being renewed? It is this question that I want to dwell on for a few moments this month:

1. We all wear out

Actually this has hit me pretty hard this month. Another good friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer in the last couple of weeks. This is on top of many others both in Grove, those connected with the Grove church and other acquaintances who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. A couple of Bible verses sprung to mind, including this one:

As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. Psalm 103:15-16

And so did this old saying…

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show any human being, let me do it now. Let me not deter or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

2. The Designer knows best

Just like that worn tyre, if we are Christians, God will sometimes allow us to be pulled and prodded and tested. If we have been designed for His glory, and we have, sometimes we will need remoulded in order to better match His design.

The Bible uses a better illustration than mine. It talks about children of God being refined and purified, like very precious metals. In the production of pure silver or gold, the ore containing the precious metal is heated in a furnace. Under very high temperatures, only the pure molten metal will sink to the bottom where it can be extracted. Then later on it can be used by a craftsman to make articles of exquisite beauty. The part that is of no use, the 'dross', floats to the surface and is discarded. There are times that God uses a similar process to remove the dross that accumulates in all our lives. And if we do not know Him as our God and Saviour? Then this too can focus minds on what is really important in life.

For You, O God, have proved us; you have tried us as silver is tried, refined, and purified. Psalm 66:10

Today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts Psalm 95: 7-8

3. When the rubber hits the road

Life is a journey and as Christians, we do not journey alone. Many know the poem "Footprints in the sand". There are usually two sets of footprints visible in the sand when we walk with God. But during the bad times, the reason that only one set of footprints can be visible is not that we are walking alone – it is because that is when the Lord is carrying us!

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut 33:27

Trials will come but only under His directive or permissive will…

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

True children of God will always be protected by their heavenly Father…

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:38-39

Our 'three score years and ten' will pale into insignificance to the eternity of Heaven. Our relationship with our Creator God should be our main priority. Jesus truly died for our sins on a cruel cross. He has paid the price for those who will humbly accept God’s free gift of salvation. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not for those who have 'got their lives together'. It is for humble people who are sick, sore and tired of their sinful lives. Just like those worn tyres really only fit for the bin, we can be totally restored by the Holy Spirit, fitted for Heaven and Home.

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:17-18

Oh for the peace of perfect trust,
My loving God, in Thee;
Unwavering faith that never doubts
Thou choosest best for me.

I'll leave you this month with another video clip… "He's got the whole world in His hands". Until next month then (DV)…

(All quotations are from the NASB, unless otherwise noted)

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!