New Tires

New Tires

My lawn mower needs new tires; really, only one tire, but you don’t just change one tire at a time, it’s against the rules. The issue is every few days there is a small leak somewhere and every few days enough air leaks out that warrants taking the cap off and putting some air in the tire. I have been doing this for nearly a year with this particular tire: I’m ready to mow, tire is flat, air it up, mow…. Wash, rinse, repeat. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 reads:

 “...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...”

How often do we put off the small, menial tasks in lieu of things that we would rather do, only to find that it has joined the forces of the numerous other small things we’ve put off until we become surrounded and overwhelmed by ’unimportant’ things that are getting in our way.

Punctuality is one of the unglorified attributes of a Christian that enable us to get things accomplished. We should take care of the small details in our lives, as they arrive so that when the ’big’ moments show up, our attention or ability is not hindered by the less important tasks we’ve been neglecting. The Hebrew writer says we should “lay aside every weight” that may prevent us, not stack them up.

It may just be the case that God is testing your discipline and trustworthiness with “few things” to determine if he can make you a “ruler over many” (Matthew 25:23). We mislead ourselves into thinking that putting off small things is because our focus is on bigger things. The wisest has discovered that better focus can be had without those little things that “so easily entangles” us (Hebrews 12:1). As God’s people and reflections of his character on Earth, we ought to be an example to everyone how to be responsible in the little things to see clearly look “to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

I bought new tires this week; surely, there are tasks around your house, your office, in your car that are occupying your mind/time. More importantly, what roots of sin are trying to grow up to block your view and pursuit of Jesus?

I Love You,

Jonathan Long